Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in organic and conventional farming systems in the Netherlands

Highlights• We calculated energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in Dutch organic and conventional farming systems.• Energy use and greenhouse gas emissions per unit milk in organic dairy are approximately 25% and 5-10% lower than in conventional dairy.• Energy use per unit crop produce in organic arable farming is 10-30% and in organic vegetable farming 40-50% higher than in its conventional counterpart.• Greenhouse gas emissions per unit crop produce in organic arable and vegetable farming are 0-15% and 35-40% higher.• To reduce energy use and greenhouse gas emissions related to food production, choices on food package composition are more relevant than the choice between organic or conventional farming.