CARBON FOOTPRINT- IMPORTANT DRIVER OF CLIMATE CHANGE GENERATED BY THE FOOD INDUSTRY

In the context in which one of the biggest problems affecting the environment worldwide is that of global warming, the study of carbon footprint, greenhouse gases and their effects is of utmost topicality. Current statistics show that agriculture and the food industry are some of the sectors with a significant carbon footprint, resulting in the need for conclusive studies to provide solutions to reduce it. The main purpose of this study is to concentrate on the results of research undertaken in this area. Thus, the thorough analysis of studies published in the main databases shows that the food industry contributes significantly to the accumulation of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere, the main sources of emissions being agricultural practices, crop rotation, waste management, etc. The urgency of adopting sustainable practices and mitigation strategies in the food industry to minimize the carbon footprint is underlined. Research not only highlights the urgent need to address the environmental impacts of the food industry, but also provides an essential basis for developing policies and strategies for implementing sustainable agricultural practices.