The Experts below are selected from a list of 10446 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
Alessandro Birolini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Quality & Reliability (RAMS) Assurance During the Production Phase
Reliability Engineering, 2017Co-Authors: Alessandro BiroliniAbstract:Reliability (RAMS) assurance has to be continued during the Production Phase , coordinated with other quality assurance activities. In particular, for monitoring and controlling Production processes, item configuration, in-process and final tests, screening procedures, and collection, analysis and correction of defects and failures. The last measure yields to a learning process whose purpose is to optimize the quality of manufacture , taking into account cost and time schedule limitations. This chapter introduces some basic aspects of quality and reliability (RAMS) assurance during Production, discusses test and screening procedures for electronic components and assemblies, introduces the concept of cost optimization related to a test strategy and develops it for a cost optimized test and screening strategy at the incoming inspection. For greater details one may refer to [7.1 - 7.5, 8.1 - 8.14] for qualification and monitoring of Production processes, as well as to [8.21 - 8.35] for test and screening aspects. Models for reliability growth are discussed in Section 7.7.
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Quality & Reliability (RAMS) Assurance During the Production Phase (Basic Considerations)
Reliability Engineering, 2014Co-Authors: Alessandro BiroliniAbstract:Reliability (RAMS) assurance has to be continued during the Production Phase , coordinated with other quality assurance activities. In particular, for monitoring and controlling Production processes , item configuration , in-process and final tests , screening procedures , and collection, analysis & correction of defects and failures .
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Quality and Reliability Assurance During the Production Phase (Basic Considerations)
Reliability Engineering, 2010Co-Authors: Alessandro BiroliniAbstract:Reliability assurance has to be continued during the Production Phase, coordinated with other quality assurance activities. In particular for monitoring and controlling Production processes, item configuration, in-process and final tests, screening procedures, and collection, analysis & correction of defects and failures. The last measure yields to a learning process whose purpose is to optimize the quality of manufacture, taking into account cost and time schedule limitations. This chapter introduces some basic aspects of quality and reliability assurance during Production, discusses test and screening procedures for electronic components and assemblies, introduces the concept of cost optimization related to a test strategy and develops it for a cost optimized test and screening strategy at the incoming inspection. For greater details on qualification & monitoring of Production processes one may refer to [7.1-7.5,8.1-8.14]. Models for reliability growth are discussed in Section 7.7.
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reliability engineering theory and practice
1999Co-Authors: Alessandro BiroliniAbstract:Basic Concepts, Quality & Reliability (RAMS) Assurance of Complex Equip. & Systems.- Reliability Analysis During the Design Phase.- Qualification Tests for Components and Assemblies.- Maintainability Analysis.- Design Guidelines for Reliability, Maintainability, and Software Quality.- Reliability and Availability of Repairable Systems.- Statistical Quality Control and Reliability Tests.- Quality & Reliability (RAMS) Assurance During Production Phase.
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Quality and Reliability Assurance During the Production Phase
Reliability Engineering, 1999Co-Authors: Alessandro BiroliniAbstract:Reliability assurance has to be continued during the Production Phase, hand in hand with quality assurance activities, in particular concerning the monitoring and control of Production processes and item’s configuration, the performance of in-process and final tests, the screening of critical components and assemblies, and the systematic collection, analysis, and correction of defects and failures. The last measure is basic for a learning process, whose aim is to optimize the quality of manufacture, taking into account cost and time schedule limitations. This chapter introduces the general aspects of quality and reliability assurance during Production, discusses test and screening procedures for electronic components and assemblies, introduces the concept of a test and screening strategy, and discusses models for reliability growth during Production. For specific poblems related to the qualification and monitoring of Production processes, one should refer to the literature, e.g. [8.1 to 8.14].
Peter Higgins - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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avoidable food losses and associated Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from application of cosmetic standards to fresh fruit and vegetables in europe and the uk
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract The use of aesthetics for classifying and accepting fresh food for sale and consumption is built into food quality standards and regulations of the European Union. The food distribution sector in Europe and the UK is oligopolistic in nature; a small number of supermarket chains control a large market share. The influence of these ‘multiples’ enables them to impose additional proprietary ‘quality’ criteria. Produce that doesn't meet these standards may be lost from the food supply chain, never seeing a supermarket shelf – it may not get past the supplier, or even leave the farm. Here, for the first time, we estimate the quantity of food loss and waste of fresh fruit and vegetables arising from cosmetic standards in Europe and UK, and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find few direct measurements of such losses, resulting in large uncertainties for key commodities. In the context of these uncertainties, we estimate avoidable FLW from on-farm cosmetic grade-outs of up to 4500 kt yr−1 in the UK and 51,500 kt yr−1 in the European Economic Area (EEA). Our estimates suggest over a third of total farm Production is lost for aesthetic reasons, which equates to as much as 970 kt CO2e (UK) and 22,500 kt CO2e (EEA) of embedded Production-Phase GHG emissions annually. Examining the issue from the perspective of markets, suppliers, and consumers we establish there is an over-emphasis on superficial qualities (i.e. cosmetic appearance) of fresh produce, which leads to its unnecessary loss and waste. Using an illustrative case study, we provide potential avenues to mitigate these losses and the associated GHG emissions.
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Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from deliberate withdrawal and destruction of fresh fruit and vegetables under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract Since 1962 the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) has enabled payment of subsidy to some food producers for withdrawal of specific commodities – including fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) – where market prices have fallen below a pre-set level. These deliberate withdrawals have led to large amounts of usable food (~60% of withdrawals) being destroyed on farms across the EU. Such wasted food incurs a significant climate change cost through its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, we assess the magnitude of this FFV withdrawal and destruction, its spatial and temporal trends, and its associated GHG emissions between 1989 and 2015. We find the total mass of avoidable FFV losses occurring as a result of these EU CAP market interventions for this 26-year period to be 23.6 Mt. The Production-Phase GHG emissions associated with the withdrawn FFV that was subsequently destroyed amount to 5.1 Mt CO 2 e over this period. We also find that, with each successive Common Market Organisation (CMO) reform there has been a marked reduction (~95% between 1989 and 2015) in the quantity of such deliberate withdrawals. Surprisingly, however, whilst the absolute quantity of FFV withdrawn and destroyed has fallen, the proportion of withdrawals that is destroyed remained roughly static at an average of about 60%. Finally, to inform debate on action needed to address FFV specifically, and food loss and waste more generally, we highlight potential scenarios and mechanisms to reduce withdrawals, avoid FFV destruction and improve alternative use of withdrawn food in the future.
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a half century of Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss waste in the global food supply chain
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
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A half-century of Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss & waste in the global food supply chain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
Elizabeth Bomberg - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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avoidable food losses and associated Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from application of cosmetic standards to fresh fruit and vegetables in europe and the uk
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract The use of aesthetics for classifying and accepting fresh food for sale and consumption is built into food quality standards and regulations of the European Union. The food distribution sector in Europe and the UK is oligopolistic in nature; a small number of supermarket chains control a large market share. The influence of these ‘multiples’ enables them to impose additional proprietary ‘quality’ criteria. Produce that doesn't meet these standards may be lost from the food supply chain, never seeing a supermarket shelf – it may not get past the supplier, or even leave the farm. Here, for the first time, we estimate the quantity of food loss and waste of fresh fruit and vegetables arising from cosmetic standards in Europe and UK, and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find few direct measurements of such losses, resulting in large uncertainties for key commodities. In the context of these uncertainties, we estimate avoidable FLW from on-farm cosmetic grade-outs of up to 4500 kt yr−1 in the UK and 51,500 kt yr−1 in the European Economic Area (EEA). Our estimates suggest over a third of total farm Production is lost for aesthetic reasons, which equates to as much as 970 kt CO2e (UK) and 22,500 kt CO2e (EEA) of embedded Production-Phase GHG emissions annually. Examining the issue from the perspective of markets, suppliers, and consumers we establish there is an over-emphasis on superficial qualities (i.e. cosmetic appearance) of fresh produce, which leads to its unnecessary loss and waste. Using an illustrative case study, we provide potential avenues to mitigate these losses and the associated GHG emissions.
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Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from deliberate withdrawal and destruction of fresh fruit and vegetables under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract Since 1962 the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) has enabled payment of subsidy to some food producers for withdrawal of specific commodities – including fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) – where market prices have fallen below a pre-set level. These deliberate withdrawals have led to large amounts of usable food (~60% of withdrawals) being destroyed on farms across the EU. Such wasted food incurs a significant climate change cost through its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, we assess the magnitude of this FFV withdrawal and destruction, its spatial and temporal trends, and its associated GHG emissions between 1989 and 2015. We find the total mass of avoidable FFV losses occurring as a result of these EU CAP market interventions for this 26-year period to be 23.6 Mt. The Production-Phase GHG emissions associated with the withdrawn FFV that was subsequently destroyed amount to 5.1 Mt CO 2 e over this period. We also find that, with each successive Common Market Organisation (CMO) reform there has been a marked reduction (~95% between 1989 and 2015) in the quantity of such deliberate withdrawals. Surprisingly, however, whilst the absolute quantity of FFV withdrawn and destroyed has fallen, the proportion of withdrawals that is destroyed remained roughly static at an average of about 60%. Finally, to inform debate on action needed to address FFV specifically, and food loss and waste more generally, we highlight potential scenarios and mechanisms to reduce withdrawals, avoid FFV destruction and improve alternative use of withdrawn food in the future.
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a half century of Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss waste in the global food supply chain
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
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A half-century of Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss & waste in the global food supply chain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
Stephen D Porter - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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avoidable food losses and associated Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from application of cosmetic standards to fresh fruit and vegetables in europe and the uk
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract The use of aesthetics for classifying and accepting fresh food for sale and consumption is built into food quality standards and regulations of the European Union. The food distribution sector in Europe and the UK is oligopolistic in nature; a small number of supermarket chains control a large market share. The influence of these ‘multiples’ enables them to impose additional proprietary ‘quality’ criteria. Produce that doesn't meet these standards may be lost from the food supply chain, never seeing a supermarket shelf – it may not get past the supplier, or even leave the farm. Here, for the first time, we estimate the quantity of food loss and waste of fresh fruit and vegetables arising from cosmetic standards in Europe and UK, and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find few direct measurements of such losses, resulting in large uncertainties for key commodities. In the context of these uncertainties, we estimate avoidable FLW from on-farm cosmetic grade-outs of up to 4500 kt yr−1 in the UK and 51,500 kt yr−1 in the European Economic Area (EEA). Our estimates suggest over a third of total farm Production is lost for aesthetic reasons, which equates to as much as 970 kt CO2e (UK) and 22,500 kt CO2e (EEA) of embedded Production-Phase GHG emissions annually. Examining the issue from the perspective of markets, suppliers, and consumers we establish there is an over-emphasis on superficial qualities (i.e. cosmetic appearance) of fresh produce, which leads to its unnecessary loss and waste. Using an illustrative case study, we provide potential avenues to mitigate these losses and the associated GHG emissions.
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Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from deliberate withdrawal and destruction of fresh fruit and vegetables under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract Since 1962 the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) has enabled payment of subsidy to some food producers for withdrawal of specific commodities – including fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) – where market prices have fallen below a pre-set level. These deliberate withdrawals have led to large amounts of usable food (~60% of withdrawals) being destroyed on farms across the EU. Such wasted food incurs a significant climate change cost through its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, we assess the magnitude of this FFV withdrawal and destruction, its spatial and temporal trends, and its associated GHG emissions between 1989 and 2015. We find the total mass of avoidable FFV losses occurring as a result of these EU CAP market interventions for this 26-year period to be 23.6 Mt. The Production-Phase GHG emissions associated with the withdrawn FFV that was subsequently destroyed amount to 5.1 Mt CO 2 e over this period. We also find that, with each successive Common Market Organisation (CMO) reform there has been a marked reduction (~95% between 1989 and 2015) in the quantity of such deliberate withdrawals. Surprisingly, however, whilst the absolute quantity of FFV withdrawn and destroyed has fallen, the proportion of withdrawals that is destroyed remained roughly static at an average of about 60%. Finally, to inform debate on action needed to address FFV specifically, and food loss and waste more generally, we highlight potential scenarios and mechanisms to reduce withdrawals, avoid FFV destruction and improve alternative use of withdrawn food in the future.
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a half century of Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss waste in the global food supply chain
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
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A half-century of Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss & waste in the global food supply chain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
David S Reay - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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avoidable food losses and associated Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from application of cosmetic standards to fresh fruit and vegetables in europe and the uk
Journal of Cleaner Production, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract The use of aesthetics for classifying and accepting fresh food for sale and consumption is built into food quality standards and regulations of the European Union. The food distribution sector in Europe and the UK is oligopolistic in nature; a small number of supermarket chains control a large market share. The influence of these ‘multiples’ enables them to impose additional proprietary ‘quality’ criteria. Produce that doesn't meet these standards may be lost from the food supply chain, never seeing a supermarket shelf – it may not get past the supplier, or even leave the farm. Here, for the first time, we estimate the quantity of food loss and waste of fresh fruit and vegetables arising from cosmetic standards in Europe and UK, and its associated greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. We find few direct measurements of such losses, resulting in large uncertainties for key commodities. In the context of these uncertainties, we estimate avoidable FLW from on-farm cosmetic grade-outs of up to 4500 kt yr−1 in the UK and 51,500 kt yr−1 in the European Economic Area (EEA). Our estimates suggest over a third of total farm Production is lost for aesthetic reasons, which equates to as much as 970 kt CO2e (UK) and 22,500 kt CO2e (EEA) of embedded Production-Phase GHG emissions annually. Examining the issue from the perspective of markets, suppliers, and consumers we establish there is an over-emphasis on superficial qualities (i.e. cosmetic appearance) of fresh produce, which leads to its unnecessary loss and waste. Using an illustrative case study, we provide potential avenues to mitigate these losses and the associated GHG emissions.
-
Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions arising from deliberate withdrawal and destruction of fresh fruit and vegetables under the EU's Common Agricultural Policy.
Science of The Total Environment, 2018Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Elizabeth Bomberg, Peter HigginsAbstract:Abstract Since 1962 the Common Agriculture Policy (CAP) of the European Union (EU) has enabled payment of subsidy to some food producers for withdrawal of specific commodities – including fresh fruit and vegetables (FFV) – where market prices have fallen below a pre-set level. These deliberate withdrawals have led to large amounts of usable food (~60% of withdrawals) being destroyed on farms across the EU. Such wasted food incurs a significant climate change cost through its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Here, we assess the magnitude of this FFV withdrawal and destruction, its spatial and temporal trends, and its associated GHG emissions between 1989 and 2015. We find the total mass of avoidable FFV losses occurring as a result of these EU CAP market interventions for this 26-year period to be 23.6 Mt. The Production-Phase GHG emissions associated with the withdrawn FFV that was subsequently destroyed amount to 5.1 Mt CO 2 e over this period. We also find that, with each successive Common Market Organisation (CMO) reform there has been a marked reduction (~95% between 1989 and 2015) in the quantity of such deliberate withdrawals. Surprisingly, however, whilst the absolute quantity of FFV withdrawn and destroyed has fallen, the proportion of withdrawals that is destroyed remained roughly static at an average of about 60%. Finally, to inform debate on action needed to address FFV specifically, and food loss and waste more generally, we highlight potential scenarios and mechanisms to reduce withdrawals, avoid FFV destruction and improve alternative use of withdrawn food in the future.
-
a half century of Production Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss waste in the global food supply chain
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
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A half-century of Production-Phase greenhouse gas emissions from food loss & waste in the global food supply chain.
Science of The Total Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Stephen D Porter, David S Reay, Peter Higgins, Elizabeth BombergAbstract:Abstract Research on loss & waste of food meant for human consumption (FLW) and its environmental impact typically focuses on a single or small number of commodities in a specific location and point in time. However, it is unclear how trends in global FLW and potential for climate impact have evolved. Here, by utilising the Food and Agriculture Organization's food balance sheet data, we expand upon existing literature. Firstly, we provide a differentiated (by commodity, country and supply chain stage) bottom-up approach; secondly, we conduct a 50-year longitudinal analysis of global FLW and its Production-Phase greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions; and thirdly, we trace food wastage and its associated emissions through the entire food supply chain. Between 1961 and 2011 the annual amount of FLW by mass grew a factor of three – from 540 Mt to 1.6 Gt; associated Production-Phase (GHG) emissions more than tripled (from 680 Mt to 2.2 Gt CO 2 e). A 44% increase in global average per capita FLW emissions was also identified – from 225 kg CO 2 e in 1961 to 323 kg CO 2 e in 2011. The regional weighting within this global average changing markedly over time; in 1961 developed countries accounted for 48% of FLW and less than a quarter (24%) in 2011. The largest increases in FLW-associated GHG emissions were from developing economies, specifically China and Latin America – primarily from increasing losses in fruit and vegetables. Over the period examined, cumulatively such emissions added almost 68 Gt CO 2 e to the atmospheric GHG stock; an amount the rough equivalent of two years of emissions from all anthropogenic sources at present rates. Building up from the most granular data available, this study highlights the growth in the climate burden of FLW emissions, and thus the need to improve efficiency in food supply chains to mitigate future emissions.
