Land use and greenhouse gas emissions from sugar in Swedish and European confectionery consumption

The composition of diets plays a critical role in the environmental impact of the food system. Ongoing dietary transitions towards higher intake of meat, saturated fats, and refined sugars exacerbate climate impacts and contribute to rising rates of non-communicable diseases. After cereals, sugar crops are the category of primary crops produced in highest volumes globally, and sugar is consumed in many different forms, one wide-spread commodity being confectionery products. Europe accounts for 35–45% of global confectionery consumption, with Sweden among the top consumers at 16 kg per capita per year. Despite its scale and the strong associations between excess caloric intake, health issues, and negative climate impact, the confectionery industry remains an under-researched subject. This article quantifies land use and CO₂-equivalent emissions associated with sugar used in European and Swedish confectionery consumption: 265,566 hectares, and 10,032 hectares; 2,97 million and 64,786 metric tonnes of CO₂-equivalents respectively. The findings shed light on the often-overlooked burden of “empty calories” and demonstrate how reallocation of land from sugar to staple crops could contribute to increased food security.