5s4b: The environmental impact of alternative protein sources - contribution to circular food systems

Abstract

Novel protein sources are crucial for meeting the increasing global demand for sustainable proteins, and achieving UN Sustainable  Development Goals (SDGs). Environmental impacts of alternative protein sources are examined in relation to different stages of production and processing. Life cycle assessment (LCA) studies of insects, algae, single cell proteins, cultivated meat, mycoprotein, as well as vegetable protein sources, such as Rubisco protein extracted from sugar beet leaves, are compared and analyzed for six environmental impact  categories: global warming potential, ozone layer depletion, energy demand, acidification potential, water footprint, and land use. Results of a few LCA studies (both from the authors and other literature) were used as basis for the data pool.