Sardines carbon footprint

2 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.2 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Low-Medium ImpactSeafood

kg CO2e / kg

litres water / kg

m² land / kg

25g

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 150g (1 can)

CO2 per serving: 0.3 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.2 kg CO2e

What does 2 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Sardines generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 12 km, or charging a smartphone 243 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Sardines vs Other Seafood

How does Sardines compare to other foods in the Seafood category?

Sardines

kg CO2e per kg — lower is better

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 Sardines produce?

Sardines produces approximately 2 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (150g / 1 can), that's about 0.3 kg CO2e.

Is Sardines bad for the environment?

Sardines has a relatively low carbon footprint at 2 kg CO2e/kg, making it a more climate-friendly food choice.

How much water does producing Sardines require?

Water usage data for Sardines varies significantly by production method and region.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Sardines?

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.