Research On The Environmental Effects Of Food Consumption And Their Influencing Factors In China

With the development of economy and society,the food consumption demand of residents has been increasing,and the diet and nutritional status has also changed,from the traditional plant-based food consumption to both animal and plant-based food consumption.In improving the living conditions of the population,we are faced with even greater resource consumption,heavy environmental costs,and the frequent occurrence of diseases caused by unreasonable diets.As one of the world’s most populous countries,China’s escalating food consumption has led to significant ecological deficits,threats to the safety of arable land,and carbon emissions that are severely over the limit,among other prominent problems.These problems have become one of the biggest shortcomings in achieving the carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals,a healthy China and sustainable development on schedule.It is necessary to scientifically assess the sustainability of food consumption and optimize the dietary structure of the population.Therefore,based on the resident food consumption in thirty-one provinces of China from 2015 to 2021,this study assesses the environmental effects of food consumption by using ecological footprint and carbon footprint indicators and estimates the sustainable development of food consumption.Moreover,on the basis of fully considering the disparities between the eastern,central and western zones,this study analyzes the regional differences in the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of resident food consumption and their influencing factors.The significance is to scientifically grasp the relationship between residents’ food consumption patterns and green,low-carbon and healthy development,and to promote the exploration of sustainable consumption paths.This study has the following five findings.Firstly,the change of dietary structure of residents aggravates the land tension and greenhouse gas emission.The ecological footprint of food consumption per capita of residents in China is 0.48 global hectares,and the greenhouse gas emission per capita generated in the process reaches 1.57 tons in 2021.The momentum of steady economic development and the corresponding shift in dietary structure make the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of food consumption on the rise,intensifying the ecological and environmental pressure.Secondly,the regional differences in the environmental effects of residents’ food consumption are obvious.Between 2015 and 2021,the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of food consumption in the eastern,central and western regions of China have significant differences,and their gap keeps shrinking.Thirdly,the factors influencing the environmental effects of food consumption are different in different regions.Per capita disposable income has a significant contribution to the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of food consumption,and the increase in income level exacerbates environmental pressure.Scientific and technological investment has a significant inhibitory effect on the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of food consumption,and the increase of scientific and technological investment improves the environmental situation.Environmental protection expenditure has a significant inhibiting effect on the environmental impact of food consumption in the central region.It could alleviate the environmental pressure of food consumption.And the level of urbanization has a significant inhibitory effect on the ecological footprint and carbon footprint of food consumption in the western region.With the increase of urbanization level,the optimization of food consumption structure tends to increase the proportion of fruit and vegetable consumption with low ecological occupation and low carbon emission coefficient,and reduce the proportion of beef and mutton consumption,so that the ecological and environmental pressure can be improved.Fourthly,the population’s food consumption has a certain potential for sustainable development.On the one hand,the share of cereal consumption footprint decreases,and the share of fruit,vegetable and low ecological occupation and low-carbon emission poultry and egg consumption footprint increases,which reduces the environmental pressure to a certain extent while safeguarding dietary fiber and high-quality protein.On the other hand,the improvement of science and technology and the support of financial construction of environmental protection have a significant role in improving the environmental situation of food consumption of our residents.Fifthly,the current dietary structure of residents is unreasonable.The consumption of meat is significantly higher than the basic nutritional needs,and the consumption of aquatic products,eggs and milk,and fresh fruits is lower than the health standard.It is recommended that residents gradually optimize their dietary structure according to the standards of dietary guidelines,taking into account dietary health and environmental improvement.In response.this study proposes corresponding policies and recommendations.In order to jointly promote the sustainable development of food consumption,we need to give full play to the role of government guidance and strengthen the technological research and development of the production and consumption chain and advocate a low-carbon and healthy diet for residents.