The global floriculture sector is initiating a robust methodology to quantify the environmental impact of bouquets, focusing specifically on documenting the carbon footprint, which represents the total volume of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions measured in carbon dioxide equivalents ($\text{CO}_{2}$e). This specialized calculation is gaining traction among growers, distributors, and retailers seeking to provide transparent sustainability data to consumers.
The assessment hinges on meticulously tracking emissions across the entire life cycle of a flower, summarizing energy consumption, logistical operations, and waste management. Experts agree that to produce comparable data, the scope of measurement must be strictly defined, typically ranging from “Cradle-to-Gate” (cultivation to farm exit) or the more comprehensive “Cradle-to-Grave,” which includes retail, consumer use, and final disposal.
Tracing Emissions Through the Supply Chain
The primary stages contributing to a flower’s carbon profile include cultivation, post-harvest processing, transportation, retail presence, and disposal.
During the cultivation phase, energy use within controlled environments is a major factor. Heating, supplemental lighting, and ventilation in greenhouses consume substantial power, while the production and application of synthetic fertilizers—particularly nitrogen-based compounds—add significant emissions. For instance, sophisticated analyses show that the manufacturing of one kilogram of nitrogen fertilizer can release approximately 6.7 kilograms of $\text{CO}_{2}$e. Data collected includes electricity consumption (in kilowatt-hours) and quantities of applied chemicals.
Following cultivation, post-harvest handling emissions stem mainly from the constant need for refrigeration and cold storage, alongside the embodied carbon found in vital supplies like plastic sleeves and packaging materials. Material weight is multiplied by established emission factors (e.g., plastic typically accounts for 2–3 $\text{kg}\, \text{CO}_{2}$e per kilogram of material) to determine this stage’s total impact.
Transportation: A Major Climate Impact
Logistics present the most volatile component of the carbon footprint. Emissions rise exponentially with distance and mode of transport. Air freight, often used to rush perishable goods like roses to international markets, carries a dramatically higher carbon cost—potentially releasing over 1.5 $\text{kg}\, \text{CO}{2}$e per kilogram of flowers for every 1,000 kilometers traveled. Conversely, sea freight offers a much lower environmental burden, often below 0.1 $\text{kg}\, \text{CO}{2}$e per kilogram per 1,000 kilometers. Road transport emissions are calculated based on distance, fuel consumption rates, and the fuel’s specific emission factor.
The final two stages, retail and disposal, include emissions from in-store refrigeration and display lighting, as well as the fate of the organic material and packaging. While composting flowers yields minor $\text{CO}{2}$ release, flowers sent to landfills can produce methane ($\text{CH}{4}$), a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times greater than $\text{CO}_{2}$ over a century.
Calculating and Normalizing Results
To calculate the finalized footprint, data—including total energy usage, material consumption, and distances traveled—is aggregated and multiplied by verified emission factors drawn from sources like the IPCC Guidelines or national environmental databases.
Crucially, the total $\text{CO}_{2}$e weight is then normalized, dividing the aggregate sum by the total number of stems or the weight of the bouquet, allowing consumers and businesses to compare the environmental costs of different floral selections.
A standardized example of a one-kilogram, air-freighted rose bouquet estimated the carbon expenditure to total approximately 15.6 $\text{kg}\, \text{CO}_{2}$e. A significant takeaway from industry analyses is the heightened importance of seasonal and local sourcing; flowers grown locally require dramatically less energy for transport and often lower energy inputs than those flown in from developing nations.
As the industry moves toward greater transparency, companies are increasingly utilizing sophisticated Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) software and specialized emission factor databases to refine these calculations. Ultimately, this detailed tracking empowers consumers to make environmentally informed choices and facilitates the industry’s transition toward more sustainable practices.