Sustainability issues in the food-energy-water nexus

The food chain comprises agricultural production, manufacturing, distribution, retail and consumption. In the UK, food production generates annually 160 Mt CO2 eq., 15 Mt of waste and various other environmental impacts. Most of these could be avoided through more sustainable use of energy, water and other resources across the whole supply chain. Therefore, the main aim of this project is to find out how this could be achieved, focusing on the sustainability issues in the food-energy-water nexus.

The project will use life cycle thinking to assess the sustainability of different food production options with the aim of minimising energy and water use as well as other environmental impacts. This will be carried out through whole system modelling and use of tools such as life cycle assessment and life cycle costing. As a result, recommendations and guidance will be provided to industry and government on how energy, water and environmental impacts from food production and consumption can be minimised.

The project will be carried out within the £7m Centre for Sustainable Energy Use if Food Chain (CSEF), funded by the UK Research Councils (EPSRC and ESRC). CSEF is run jointly by the Universities of Brunel, Manchester and Birmingham. The successful candidate will be based at the University of Manchester, within the Sustainable Industrial Systems (SIS) research group (www.sustainable-systems.org.uk).

First class or a high 2.1 degree in chemical engineering or a related discipline is required for this post.

For informal enquiries about the project contact Professor Adisa Azapagic at [Email Address Removed].