Work

The carbon footprint of the mussel food chain in Spain

Year: 2025

Type: article

Abstract: Identifying sustainable animal protein alternatives as mussels is often promoted as an environmentally friendly source but comprehensive assessments of its entire food chain GHG emissions remain limited. This study estimates the carbon footprint of the mussel food chain, reconstructing its supply chains by integrating national production, trade data, and logistics across international, national, and intraprovincial transport. We articulated a consumption approach considering the interconnections between industrial processing, supply chains and mussel production. Total GHG emissions of the Spanish mussel food chain reached 287.8 GgCO2eq, with the main contributions from aquaculture (45%), industrial processing (43%), and transport (12%). Emissions linked to domestic consumption are 190.1 GgCO2eq, (6.3 kgCO2eq/kg meat). Pickled mussels represent the most impactful product (8.5), and frozen mussels the least (3.6). We also revealed a high dependence on international trade and interprovincial transport, with processing and transport as key contributors, and that the most consumed forms impact the most

Source: Resources Conservation and Recycling

DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2025.108742

Authors: Pablo Saralegui-Díez, Sebastián Villasante, Andrés Ospina-Álvarez, Montserrat Ramón, Joan Moranta