An explorative assessment of environmental and nutritional benefits of introducing low-carbon meals to Barcelona schools

Shifting to plant-based and low-carbon diets is a key measure for climate change mitigation. In this regard, national local governments are setting goals actions tackle issue. The municipality of Barcelona has set an intervention the academic year 2020–21: introducing meals in public schools. This study assesses environmental nutritional benefits by applying Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, with energy functional unit; combined it Water-Energy-Food (WEF) nexus approach, considering three WEF resources-based impacts (Blue Water Footprint (BWF), Primary Energy Demand (PED) Land Use (LU)) Global Warming Potential (GWP). transition meal would reduce between 46 60% impacts. These could even be higher when extra interventions within school boundaries applied. More research behavioural needed order evaluate both: acceptance new menus scholars adaptation kitchen staff menu. Finally, suggested monitor changes introduction integrated way.