Sugar (cane) carbon footprint

1.8 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.18 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Low ImpactProcessed

1.8

kg CO2e / kg

1,782

litres water / kg

1.5

m² land / kg

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 10g (2 tsp (10g))

CO2 per serving: 0.02 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.18 kg CO2e

What does 1.8 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Sugar (cane) generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 11 km, or charging a smartphone 219 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Sugar (cane) vs Other Processed

How does Sugar (cane) compare to other foods in the Processed category?

Sugar (cane)

1.8

French Fries (frozen)

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 Sugar (cane) produce?

Sugar (cane) produces approximately 1.8 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (10g / 2 tsp (10g)), that's about 0.02 kg CO2e.

Is Sugar (cane) bad for the environment?

Sugar (cane) has a relatively low carbon footprint at 1.8 kg CO2e/kg, making it a more climate-friendly food choice.

How much water does producing Sugar (cane) require?

Producing 1 kg of Sugar (cane) requires approximately 1,782 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Sugar (cane)?

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.