Application of the MIPS method for assessing the sustainability of production–consumption systems of food

Lucia Mancini, Michael Lettenmeier, Holger Rohn and Christa Liedtke

Journal of Economic Behavior & Organization, 2012, vol. 81, issue 3, 779-793

Abstract: The article estimates the natural resource consumption due to nutrition from the supply and demand sides. Using the MIPS (Material Input per Service Unit) methodology, we analyzed the use of natural resources along the supply chains of three Italian foodstuffs: wheat, rice and orange-based products. These figures were then applied for evaluating the sustainability of diets in 13 European countries. The results outline which phases in food production are more natural resource demanding than others. We also observed different levels of sustainability in the European diets and the effect of different foodstuffs in the materials, water and air consumption.

Keywords: Sustainability; Value chain; Natural resource; Food; Agriculture; MIPS (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q10 Q56 Q57 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2012
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (2)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:eee:jeborg:v:81:y:2012:i:3:p:779-793

DOI: 10.1016/j.jebo.2010.12.023

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