Policy-anchored sustainability: Decarbonizing the food cold chain

Roughly 4 % of global greenhouse gas emissions are attributed to the food cold chain, highlighting its emergence as a critical issue in global environmental concerns. We emphasize the pivotal role of policy-driven carbon reduction in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions within the food cold chain. The government has enacted a suite of guidance policies aimed at fostering a comprehensive carbon footprint management scheme. These policies serve to lead related industries towards low-carbon and sustainable development, accelerating the achievement of carbon neutrality and peak carbon emissions targets while fostering the growth of an eco-friendly society. Our focus is on the key factors influencing the formation of carbon footprints in the food cold chain, as well as the research and innovation in food science and technology under the aegis of government. This work underscores the invaluable contributions of researchers and practitioners in food and food-related sciences and industries in minimizing carbon emissions and promoting environmentally sustainable societal development. Our aim is to contribute to the development of a more sustainable food cold chain, fostering collaborative efforts towards a greener, more prosperous future. In this review, we focus on industry reports, academic papers, and government statistics published between 2010 and 2024, and the recent development of cold chain emissions, energy consumption, and technological progress. Drawing from literature review, database search, and scenario analysis, we provide an in-depth overview of the status, challenges, and applications of low-carbon technologies in global cold chain logistics.