An economic input-output life cycle assessment of food transportation in Thailand

Abstract

This study applies an economic input-output life cycle assessment (EIO-LCA) approach for 180 industrial sectors of the Thai economy. The approach is used to evaluate energy consumption and CO2 emissions of the agricultural sector for the entire supply chain and particularly focusing on transportation. Transportation emits the second largest amount of CO2 by sector in Thailand. Road transportation is the dominant form of cargo transport, accounting for 80% of all modes. The results show that transportation emissions from all modes of cargo transport account for 1–6% of total supply chain emissions. The vegetable sector shares highest CO2 emissions in transportation. By changing the transportation mode from road freight to rail, emissions could be expected to decline. If 50% of road transportation was shifted to rail, CO2 emissions would drop by 30%.