Assessing the greenhouse gas emissions related to food shopping mobility behaviors of households in a metropolitan area

Background Reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from urban mobility remains a critical challenge for both climate and public health. Food-shopping trips contribute significantly to these emissions, yet the influence of urban form on such trips is rarely explored. This research aims to analyze GHG emissions from household food-shopping trips across different urban residential contexts: central areas, inner suburbs, and suburban areas. Methods Using data from studies conducted in the Montpellier Metropolitan Area (France), we collected information from 398 households regarding transport mode, trip distance and frequency, household characteristics, and the food-retail environment. Multivariate linear regression models were used to assess associations between GHG emissions and individual and environmental characteristics within each urban residential context. We also identified households with low emissions by urban residential context (referred to as “positive deviants”). Results Higher GHG emissions were associated with households having multiple adults, a retired household head, car ownership, or living more than 400 m from a supermarket. Overall, emissions increased from central to suburban areas. Nevertheless, we observed heterogeneity of food shopping trips, with households characterized by low emissions despite residing in inner suburbs or suburban areas. These positive deviants are often located close to tram stops and/or supermarkets. However, no clear spatial clustering of these low-emission households was observed. Conclusion Both socio-demographic characteristics and residential location shape food-shopping GHG emissions. Interventions to reduce emissions should therefore account for household composition, car ownership, and proximity to public transport and retail facilities.