Carbon footprint Assessment of Open Snail-Farm Systems in Central and Northern Greece

This study examines the environmental sustainability of open-field snail farming systems in Greece, focusing on their carbon footprint (CF) as a representative environmental impact metric. Eleven snail farms across Central and Northern Greece were analyzed using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, assessing inputs, outputs, and processes from farm construction to the point of sale. The results demonstrated significant variability in CF values, ranging from 0.048 to 7.65 kg CO₂eq per kilogram of live snails. The primary contributors to CF were identified as the use of metal materials, electricity consumption for irrigation and drilling, and plowing. Farms with lower productivity exhibited disproportionately higher CF values, emphasizing the need for improved management practices. A comparative analysis with conventional livestock production highlighted snail farming as a more environmentally sustainable protein source, with significantly lower CF values, than cattle, pig, and poultry farming. Additionally, this study evaluates the environmental performance of heliciculture in Greece and proposes actionable strategies for enhancing sustainability in small-scale farming systems. Notably, transitioning from conventional electricity to renewable energy sources was shown to reduce the CF by up to 85%. These findings contribute to the broader discourse on sustainable protein production, offering valuable insights for both researchers and practitioners in agricultural sustainability.