Tea carbon footprint

7 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.7 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Medium ImpactBeverages

kg CO2e / kg

8,860

litres water / kg

m² land / kg

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 3g (1 cup (3g leaves))

CO2 per serving: 0.02 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.7 kg CO2e

What does 7 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Tea generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 41 km, or charging a smartphone 852 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Tea vs Other Beverages

How does Tea compare to other foods in the Beverages category?

Tea

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-96%

Carrots

Vegetables

0.4kg CO2e/kg-94%

Apples

Fruits

0.4kg CO2e/kg-94%

Potatoes

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-93%

Onions

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-93%

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 Tea produce?

Tea produces approximately 7 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (3g / 1 cup (3g leaves)), that's about 0.02 kg CO2e.

Is Tea bad for the environment?

Tea has a moderate carbon footprint at 7 kg CO2e/kg — higher than plant-based foods but lower than most red meats.

How much water does producing Tea require?

Producing 1 kg of Tea requires approximately 8,860 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Tea?

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.