Urban dietary changes and linked carbon footprint in China: A case study of Beijing

Rapidly rising wealth and increased urbanization are driving a global urban dietary transition, which is closely related to global climate change and human health. In light of large urban population, preference for fine foods, and serious environmental challenges, such trends are particularly important for China. This study investigated changes in urban diet and related carbon footprint (CF) of Beijing from 1980 to 2017. Meanwhile, the deviation index was devised to examine the interconnection between diet-related CF and nutritional quality, using dietary pattern recommended by Chinese Nutrition Society (CNS) as benchmark. Results showed that urban Beijing has experienced substantial dietary transition, shifting from traditional grain-based diet to the one higher in non-staple and animal-sourced foods. Correspondingly, the diet-related CF has increased by 41%, from 2.15 in 1980 to 3.04 kg CO₂-eq in 2017 per capita per day, mainly due to the rising consumption of animal products. In regard to recommended intake level, the unnecessary CF due to over-consumption of food, accounted for about 15-30% of the total diet-related CF during the concerned period. The trade-off and synergy trends can be identified by phase when examining the interconnection between dietary CF and nutritional quality. The synergy trend offers the opportunity of synchronously alleviating the adverse impacts of urban diet on the environment and human health, by adopting responsible and sustainable dietary pattern. It calls for the joint efforts from both the government and urban consumers.