India: Food and Climate Security

Dry ice made from atmospheric CO₂can help reduce food waste and the climate.

As much as 40% of food produced in India is wasted because of spoilage, resulting in a loss of as much as $14 billion annually. We can reduce food waste and thus the food industry’s environmental impact by implementing net-zero direct air capture that produces CO₂to provide refrigeration for transporting fresh produce and meats. Given its high rates of food waste and hunger, the eastern coast of India is an ideal location for a demonstration project.

Our proposed solution would provide environmental, social, and economic benefits to the local community while addressing food waste and refrigeration-related emissions. We are excited about the potential of this proposal and look forward to collaborating with like-minded individuals and organizations to pursue this innovative and sustainable solution.

Co-Benefits

Climate Mitigation: Implementing CO₂ capture and converting to dry ice can reduce dependence on fossil fuels. Dry ice made from atmospheric CO₂ is a carbon-neutral cold chain solution that helps mitigate climate change by reducing GHG emissions.
Less Food Waste: Effective cold chain systems can reduce food waste, resulting in fewer emissions associated with food production and disposal.
Improved Food Security: Using dry ice to preserve perishable goods extends food shelf life, enhancing food security and access to fresh produce.
Better Public Health: Increased availability of fresh and safe food products can improve public health and better nourishment.
Complementary to Unreliable Grid Electricity: The reliable cooling dry ice provides can complement sparse and unreliable grid electricity, particularly in regions that lack consistent power supply.
Job Creation: Establishing dry ice production and cold chain facilities can create job opportunities in manufacturing, transportation, and logistics, thereby contributing to local economic development.
Local Industry Development: Developing a dry ice production industry stimulates local manufacturing and entrepreneurship, reducing the need to import cooling agents and equipment while increasing local incomes.
Reduced Environmental Impact: Dry ice has a lower environmental impact than some other refrigerants: it does not contribute to ozone depletion and has a relatively short atmospheric lifetime.
Stimulation of Innovation: Adopting sustainable cooling solutions, such as dry ice, can stimulate innovation and technological advancement in cold chain logistics.

Net-zero CO2 direct air capture technology for dry ice production and transportation refrigeration could help reduce the food industry's environmental impact, while addressing food waste and refrigeration-related emissions, providing environmental, social, and economic benefits to the local community.