Olive Oil carbon footprint

6 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.6 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Medium ImpactOils & Fats

kg CO2e / kg

14,430

litres water / kg

m² land / kg

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 10g (1 tbsp (10ml))

CO2 per serving: 0.06 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.6 kg CO2e

What does 6 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Olive Oil generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 35 km, or charging a smartphone 730 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Olive Oil vs Other Oils & Fats

How does Olive Oil compare to other foods in the Oils & Fats category?

Olive Oil

Sunflower Oil

3.5

Rapeseed / Canola Oil

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-95%

Carrots

Vegetables

0.4kg CO2e/kg-93%

Apples

Fruits

0.4kg CO2e/kg-93%

Potatoes

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-92%

Onions

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-92%

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 Olive Oil produce?

Olive Oil produces approximately 6 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (10g / 1 tbsp (10ml)), that's about 0.06 kg CO2e.

Is Olive Oil bad for the environment?

Olive Oil has a moderate carbon footprint at 6 kg CO2e/kg — higher than plant-based foods but lower than most red meats.

How much water does producing Olive Oil require?

Producing 1 kg of Olive Oil requires approximately 14,430 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Olive Oil?

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.