Environmental Inequality Embedded in Global Food Trade: Evidence from the Mismatch between Embodied Air Pollutant Emissions and Value Added

The escalating global demand for food has imposed significant environmental strain with agricultural production and international trade acting as central drivers. In this study, we integrate the global multiregional input-output (MRIO) database and food-related emission inventories to quantify atmospheric pollution from the global food system. We developed two metrics, the composite pollutant emission (CPE) and the food-related environmental inequality (FEI) index, to evaluate environmental and economic equity. Our analysis reveals that the global food system released over 100 million tons of atmospheric pollutants in 2017, corresponding to 10.8 Mt of CPE, with plant-based foods constituting the dominant share (64.2%). China, India, and Brazil collectively generated 34.9% of global production-based emissions, while consumption by the top quintile of the population accounted for 37.6% of consumption-based emissions. The FEI reveals a pronounced north-south pollution gradient, where most high-income regions tend to externalize environmental impacts while capturing disproportionate economic value via trade, resulting in consumption-based emissions that substantially exceed domestic production. Our findings highlight a systemic imbalance in environmental responsibility, underscoring the need for targeted pollution controls, differentiated mitigation strategies, and strengthened international cooperation to achieve an equitable food system.