Life cycle assessment of insulated fish transport systems in India

The fish transport sector plays a crucial role in both domestic and export markets in India, with insulated vehicles accounting for approximately 60% of fish transit immediately after landing. These insulated vehicles, although essential for maintaining fish quality and minimizing spoilage, contribute significantly to environmental concerns, including increased greenhouse gas emissions, energy consumption, and material use, particularly given their reliance on fossil fuels. This study assessed the environmental impact of using insulated vehicles to transport 1 tonne of fish over a distance of 200 km. Using SimaPro (V9.3) for a life cycle assessment, a landing‐to‐consumer approach was adopted, incorporating questionnaire‐based and secondary data collection. The results revealed significant impacts on human health, with vehicle operations posing high risks (1.13E‐05 disability‐adjusted life years) due to diesel engine emissions. The long‐term global warming potential from vehicle operations was higher than that from depreciated vehicle construction, with emissions measured at 4.44 kg CO2 equivalent per tonne per trip over 100 years. The findings indicated that emissions from insulated vehicles during fish supply contributed approximately 0.4% of global emissions, underscoring the need for environmentally sustainable transportation practices in the fish transport system. Adopting electric vehicles, hybrids, biofuels, and emission controls can enhance sustainability in fish transport. Policies like the National Green Hydrogen Mission, carbon‐neutral practices, and green exports support this transition in the fish transport system.