Pre-informed consumers on a pre-adjusted menu had smaller nitrogen footprints during the N2013 conference, Kampala, than those on a conventional menu

Tumwesigye, Trust; Olupot, Giregon; Musinguzi, Patrick; Leip, Adrain; Bekunda, Mateete; Sutton, Mark A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341. 2020 Pre-informed consumers on a pre-adjusted menu had smaller nitrogen footprints during the N2013 conference, Kampala, than those on a conventional menu. In: Sutton, Mark A. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6263-6341; Mason, Kate E.; Bleeker, Albert; Hicks, W. Kevin; Masso, Cargele; Raghuram, N.; Reis, Stefan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2428-8320; Bekunda, Mateete, (eds.) Just enough nitrogen: Perspectives on how to get there for regions with too much and too little nitrogen. Switzerland, Springer Nature, 561-582.

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Abstract/Summary

International conferences are hotspots of food wastage and release of reactive nitrogen (Nr) into the environment, but there is limited data about extent of food wastage and food product-specific Nitrogen (N) Footprints of consumers from such conferences. This study was aimed at evaluating the impact of pre-information and pre-adjusted menu on food-product specific N Footprints of the 6th International Nitrogen (N2013) conference held in Kampala, Uganda (average of 140 participants). For comparison, we also computed N Footprints for a baseline conference held at the same venue (average of 180 participants). At N2013, the delegates, hotel management and chefs had been pre-informed about a pre-adjusted menu designed to substitute half of animal-based sources of protein with plant sources (demitarian diet). Average meat consumption (excluding eggs) during the N2013 conference was 118 g capita−1 day−1 on dry weight basis, while milk consumption (excluding powdered milk) was 75 g capita−1 day−1 (fresh weight basis). These values were smaller than those of the baseline conference where meat consumption (excluding eggs) averaged 234 g capita−1 day−1 on dry weight basis and milk consumption (excluding powdered milk) averaged 159 g capita−1 day−1 (fresh weight basis). The reduction in meat consumption during the N2013 conference was compensated for by eating more fruits (102 g capita−1 day−1) and vegetables (45 g capita−1 day−1) than during the baseline conference (69 and 33 g capita−1 day−1, respectively). Overall, the Nitrogen Footprint for the N2013 conference was 97 g N capita−1 day−1, representing a reduction of 40% compared with the baseline conference of 160 g N capita−1 day−1. The Nitrogen Footprint for the N2013 conference would have been even lower, had it not been for over-supply beyond demand that left a substantial amount of food wasted. We conclude that pre-information and a pre-adjusted menu with clear guidelines to actors in food procurement, preparation and consumption are critical to mitigating food wastage from international conferences. The experience demonstrates how a conference approach to cutting down Nr consumption simultaneously helps raise awareness, while allowing delegates to reduce their N footprints with environmental and health benefits.

Item Type:	Publication - Book Section
Digital Object Identifier (DOI):	https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-58065-0_37
UKCEH and CEH Sections/Science Areas:	Atmospheric Chemistry and Effects (Science Area 2017-)
ISBN:	9783030580643
Additional Information. Not used in RCUK Gateway to Research.:	Chapter 37
Additional Keywords:	Food choice, Nitrogen footprint, Demitarian, Conference planning, Environment, Health
NORA Subject Terms:	Health
Date made live:	11 Dec 2023 12:21 +0 (UTC)
URI:	https://nora.nerc.ac.uk/id/eprint/536242

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