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Carbon Footprinting and Decarbonisation: Charting a Course for Sustainable Seafood Supply Chains




Carbon footprinting and decarbonisation play a crucial role in achieving sustainability in seafood supply chains. Carbon footprinting involves the measurement of the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by a company or product, providing insight into its carbon impact. Decarbonisation, on the other hand, refers to reducing the carbon footprint of a product or process.


Carbon footprinting and decarbonisation are essential in achieving sustainability in seafood supply chains. Carbon footprinting helps identify areas where emissions can be reduced and informs the development of strategies to reduce emissions, such as alternative transportation methods and sustainable feed sources. Decarbonisation efforts, including sustainable fishing practices and sourcing, reduce the carbon emissions associated with fishing, processing, and transportation. By implementing these measures, companies can create a more sustainable and responsible seafood supply chain that reduces carbon emissions and preserves the ocean's ecosystem and the livelihoods of fishing communities.


credit image: https://www.visualcapitalist.com/sp/decarbonization-101-what-carbon-emissions-are-part-of-your-footprint/


Here are some key points to consider when conducting carbon footprinting and decarbonisation in order to achieve sustainability in seafood supply chains:

  1. Measure and monitor carbon emissions: Measure the amount of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases emitted by your company or product in order to understand its carbon impact. This will provide the necessary data to inform decarbonisation efforts.

  2. Target high-emission areas: Identify areas of the seafood supply chain where emissions are highest, such as transportation, refrigeration, and feed production. These areas should be prioritised for decarbonisation efforts.

  3. Adopt sustainable fishing practices: Reduce the carbon emissions associated with fishing practices by adopting more sustainable methods, such as using electric fishing boats, reducing the distance travelled to fishing grounds, and improving the efficiency of fishing gear.

  4. Source sustainably: Sourcing seafood from more sustainable sources can reduce the carbon emissions associated with fishing, processing, and transportation. This can include sourcing seafood from small-scale, locally-based fishing communities or from farms that use renewable energy sources.

  5. Reduce waste throughout the supply chain: Implementing waste reduction measures throughout the seafood supply chain can help to reduce emissions and create a more sustainable supply chain.

  6. Use alternative transportation methods: Consider alternative transportation methods, such as shipping by rail or sea, in order to reduce emissions associated with transportation.

  7. Improve refrigeration systems: Improving refrigeration systems can help to reduce emissions and improve the energy efficiency of the supply chain.

  8. Use sustainable feed sources: Using sustainable feed sources can help to reduce emissions associated with feed production and create a more environmentally responsible supply chain.

By following these steps, companies can create a more sustainable and responsible seafood supply chain that reduces carbon emissions and preserves the health of the ocean's ecosystem and the livelihoods of fishing communities for future generations.


In conclusion, carbon footprinting and decarbonisation are essential steps in achieving sustainability in seafood supply chains. By reducing carbon emissions, companies can create more sustainable supply chains that are environmentally responsible, economically viable, and socially responsible. This will ensure that seafood is produced in a way that is both sustainable and responsible, preserving the health of the ocean's ecosystem and the livelihoods of fishing communities for future generations.

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