Crisps / Chips carbon footprint

2.5 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.25 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Low-Medium ImpactProcessed

2.5

kg CO2e / kg

900

litres water / kg

m² land / kg

5.5g

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 30g (1 bag (30g))

CO2 per serving: 0.08 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.25 kg CO2e

What does 2.5 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Crisps / Chips generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 15 km, or charging a smartphone 304 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Crisps / Chips vs Other Processed

How does Crisps / Chips compare to other foods in the Processed category?

Crisps / Chips

2.5

French Fries (frozen)

kg CO2e per kg — lower is better

Lower-Carbon Alternatives

Foods with a lower carbon footprint you could consider instead.

Watermelon

Fruits

0.3kg CO2e/kg-88%

Carrots

Vegetables

0.4kg CO2e/kg-84%

Apples

Fruits

0.4kg CO2e/kg-84%

Potatoes

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-80%

Onions

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-80%

Methodology and data sources

Values are lifecycle-style estimates (farm to retail gate, typical global production mix), consistent with meta-analyses such as Poore & Nemecek (2018) and summaries like Our World in Data — environmental impacts of food. Your country, brand, and cooking method can shift real impacts; use comparisons on this page for directional choices, not exact accounting.

Browse the full food carbon database · Diet carbon calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CO2 does Crisps / Chips produce?

Crisps / Chips produces approximately 2.5 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (30g / 1 bag (30g)), that's about 0.08 kg CO2e.

Is Crisps / Chips bad for the environment?

Crisps / Chips has a relatively low carbon footprint at 2.5 kg CO2e/kg, making it a more climate-friendly food choice.

How much water does producing Crisps / Chips require?

Producing 1 kg of Crisps / Chips requires approximately 900 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Crisps / Chips?

Lower-carbon alternatives include Watermelon (0.3 kg CO2e/kg), Carrots (0.4 kg CO2e/kg), Apples (0.4 kg CO2e/kg). Switching to these can significantly reduce your dietary carbon footprint.