Tofu carbon footprint

3 kg CO2e per kg (about 0.3 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Low-Medium ImpactPlant Proteins

kg CO2e / kg

2,500

litres water / kg

2.2

m² land / kg

17g

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 150g (1 block portion)

CO2 per serving: 0.45 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 0.3 kg CO2e

What does 3 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Tofu generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 18 km, or charging a smartphone 365 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Tofu vs Other Plant Proteins

How does Tofu compare to other foods in the Plant Proteins category?

Tofu

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-90%

Carrots

Vegetables

0.4kg CO2e/kg-87%

Apples

Fruits

0.4kg CO2e/kg-87%

Potatoes

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-83%

Onions

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-83%

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 Tofu produce?

Tofu produces approximately 3 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (150g / 1 block portion), that's about 0.45 kg CO2e.

Is Tofu bad for the environment?

Tofu has a relatively low carbon footprint at 3 kg CO2e/kg, making it a more climate-friendly food choice.

How much water does producing Tofu require?

Producing 1 kg of Tofu requires approximately 2,500 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Tofu?

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.