Meat Eaters Guide: Methodology - Environmental Working Group

Maturing animal
(during grazing and
at the feedlot)
Enteric fermentation
(digestive process of
ruminants) and manure
management
Slaughtered animal Transport of animal
to slaughter facility;
slaughter
Packaged food Transportation of
food to packaging
facility; production of
packaging materials;
packaging process
Food at retail Transportation from
packaging facility to
retail; freezing and
refrigeration during
transport and at retail
CH 4 from enteric fermentation (adjusted for different
kinds of feed); N 2 O and CH4 emissions from manure
management 9
Electricity used in slaughter process
Fuel for transport and electricity used in production
of packaging materials as well as actual packaging
of the food
Electricity; hydrofluorocarbons leaked from refrigeration
systems at retail
Cooked food Cooking Natural gas used for cooking10 Wasted food Transportation from
home/restaurant to
landfill; food deposited
in landfill
Fuel; CH from food waste in landfills
4
Aquaculture Electricity, water,
feed, fertilizer (in
some cases); transportation
of inputs;
fuel for boats
2. Activity Data and Criteria for Selection of Production Systems
Electricity, water pumping, feed production, and
transport.
CleanMetrics amassed the input data (also referred to as production data or activity data) from numerous
sources, including university agricultural extension programs, agro-economics departments,
government agencies and peer-reviewed research publications, described in Annex A.
At least two representative production methods, or systems, were considered for most food products
or other plant “inputs” considered. The term “system” refers to a set of interacting or interdependent
components forming an integrated whole. In this report, a system incorporates components (such
Environmental Working Group Meat Eaters Guide: Methodology 2011 9