The ENOUGH project, funded by the European Commission, has been running for four years, from October 2021 to September 2025. Its goal was to support the transition to a climate-neutral food supply chain, with a particular focus on the cooling and heating processes involved.
ENOUGH developed predictive models for 2030 and 2050 emissions of the food chain relative to 1990 and 2019 levels, showing that these emissions will remain high without intervention. Technological roadmaps for various food chain stages were created (retail, catering, storage, transport, domestic, processing), demonstrating how 40–50% emission reductions are achievable through technological and operational measures. Substantial emission reductions can be achieved using technologies that already exist, and the 21 real-world ENOUGH demonstrators proved that these are both feasible and scalable. To help users test different strategies to reduce emissions, the ENOUGH tool was developed to simulate the food chain to calculate energy use and emissions. Another web tool developed is the smart data systems (SDS) to support emission tracking, scenario modelling and collaborative decision making. Reaching net-zero emissions will also require non-technological changes, like sufficient investments in clean technologies and solutions being allocated where needed. In addition, more targeted policies are needed for each stage of the food chain.
We are proud to conclude that ENOUGH has shown that climate neutrality in the food supply chain by 2050 is feasible, with a 55% reduction possible by 2030. Achieving this will require coordinated policy support, investment in high-efficiency technologies, and widespread adoption of sustainable practices across the sector.
Useful links to explore the ENOUGH results:
CORDIS – European Commission’s information page about ENOUGH (including publications and results)
ENOUGH online tool to build your food chain and estimate emissions
Contact information:
Project coordinator: Kristina Norne Widell, SINTEF Ocean. Email: kristina.widell@sintef.no.
