Application of the IoT in the Food Supply Chain─From the Perspective of Carbon Mitigation

Abstract

With the rising demands on supply chain transparency and food security, the rapid outspread of the Internet of Things (IoT) to improve logistical efficiency, and the rising penetration of sensor technology into daily life, the extensive integration of the IoT in the food sector is well anticipated. A perspective on potential life cycle trade-offs in regard to the type of integration is necessary. We conduct life cycle assessment (LCA) integrated with shelf life−food loss (SL−FL) models, showing an overall 5-fold leverage on carbon reduction, which is diet dependent and a function of income. Meat presents the highest leverage, 35 ± 11-times, owing to its high carbon footprint. Twothirds (65%) of global sensors (1 billion) engaged in monitoring fruits and vegetables can mitigate less than 7% of the total reduced carbon emissions. Despite the expected carbon emission reductions, widespread adoption of the IoT faces multiple challenges such as high costs, difficulties in social acceptance, and regional variability in technological development. Furthermore, changes in the distribution of transportation resources and dealer service models, requirements regarding the accuracy of sensor data analysis, efficient and persistent operation of devices, development of agricultural infrastructure, and farmer education and training have all increased uncertainty. Nonetheless, the research trend in smart sensors toward smaller chips and the potential integration of machine learning or blockchain as further steps make it possible to leverage these advantages to facilitate market penetration. These insights facilitate the future optimization of the application of IoT sensors for sustainability.

From Linear to Circular: A Novel Approach of Integration of Blockchain in Agri-Food Chains and the SCOR Model Oriented to Logistics Reverse and Sustainable Development Goals

“…Following this, Table 3 is presented, displaying the Research Approach, which allowed for the organization of all the identified research in this study. Monitoring and Supervising (Bhatia & Albarrak, 2023); (R. Gupta & Shankar, 2023); (Rajput et al, 2023); (Khan et al, 2022); (Yakubu et al, 2022); (Lee et al, 2021); (Scuderi et al, 2022); (Bansal et al, 2022); (Luo et al, 2022); (Kazancoglu et al, 2022); (Abdulhussein et al, 2020); (Patra et al, 2021); (AlJemy et al, 2019);…”

Aging Increases Global Annual Food Greenhouse Gas Emissions up to 300 Million Tonnes by 2100

“…C i , j stands for the supply-embodied GHG emissions of the food commodity j in country i (Table ), , which refers to all GHG emissions of the food commodity being derived from planting and all activities associated with logistics in the supply chain, including 9 postfarming stages from harvest to the consumer. CFC i , j stands for the GHG emissions of consumed food commodity j in country/region i at the consumer stage subjected to logistic activities from harvest to retail (Table S1).…”

Birth of dairy 4.0: Opportunities and challenges in adoption of fourth industrial revolution technologies in the production of milk and its derivatives

“…There is a need for decentralized solutions such as blockchain due to the single points of failure, product irregularities, quality compromises, and loss of data present in conventional food supply chains. Adoption of blockchain in the food supply chain, especially when combined with other technologies such as IoT, enables data interoperability, cost reduction, transparency, auditability, integrity and authenticity ( Casino et al, 2021 ; Luo et al, 2022 ). To protect vulnerable populations, blockchain solutions that go beyond food traceability to maintaining the nutritional values of dairy products, and identification of their adulteration and contamination have been proposed ( Khanna et al, 2022 ).…”