Optimizing Resource Use in Sustainable Food Systems: Life Cycle Assessment of a Multi-Crop Aquaponic System in Italy.

The contemporary practice of conventional farming is characterised by an exceedingly intensive utilisation of natural resources.The production of just one kilogram of crops requires approximately 2,500 litres of water (Mekonnen & Hoekstra, 2010) and almost 1.8 kilograms of synthetic fertilisers (FAO, 2024). These practices have been identified as a primary contributor to approximately 25% of global greenhouse gas emissions (IPCC, 2014) and have been linked to the acceleration of various environmental issues, including eutrophication, biodiversity loss, and soil degradation (IPBES, 2019). These practices have the potential to compromise the structural integrity of soil and the long-term fertility of agricultural land. In order to ensure the long-term sustainability of food systems, there is a requirement to adopt production methodologies that facilitate the achievement of high yields while minimising environmental impact. In this context, the present study employs a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) to analyse an integrated aquaponic system in Italy for the cultivation of fruit, vegetables and aromatic herbs. Utilising the ReCiPe 2016 Midpoint method across 18 impact categories—with 1 kg of edible produce designated as the functional unit—it is demonstrated that the integration of aquaculture and hydroponics can result in a 40–49% reduction in environmental impacts when compared to conventional soilless systems. It is evident that there has been a significant decrease in water usage, fossil and mineral resource consumption, and greenhouse gas emissions. These findings underscore the potential of aquaponics as a scalable, resource-efficient approach, particularly in contexts where water scarcity or land constraints are prevalent. The findings emphasize the approach's capacity to enhance resilient, low-impact food production in the future.