Carbon footprints on the menu

DINERS at a vegetarian restaurant can now choose meals based on their carbon emissions.

The Canteen in Bristol is the first in Britain to show the environmental cost of every meal on the menu.

The CO2 figure takes into account distances ingredients travelled and emissions in production. The dish with the highest carbon footprint is an £8.50 miso and harissa-flavoured aubergine with za’atar brittle, courgette baba ganoush and tabbouleh, with 674g of CO2.

The lowest is a £6 beetroot and carrot fritter with just 16g.

Marketing manager Anna Blightman said: ‘The reception has been incredible and really positive.’ She added: ‘For reference, eating just one UK produced beefburger can generate as much as 3,050g CO2.’