A Question-Based Method to Calculate the Human Appropriation of Land for Food (HALF) Index

Abstract

Global dietary consumption strongly determines agricultural land requirements. Yet, it is currently difficult for individual consumers to quantify the environmental impact of their individual diet. One relatively easy to understand metric is the Human Appropriation of Land for Food (HALF) index. The HALF index expresses the global land area percentage required for food production were the global population to consume one specific diet. Calculation of the HALF index is not trivial, making the index not suitable for individual consumers to assess their personal diet. The aim of this research is to develop and test a new method to calculate a personalized HALF index based on a limited set of multiple-choice questions that can be answered by a typical consumer. Considering the sensitivity of the original HALF index, we developed a set of ten multiple-choice questions that focus on the type and quantity of consumed animal products in addition to staple foods and overall consumption quantity. To illustrate a potential implementation, we present our question-based HALF index calculator in the form of an online graphical user interface. Across a sample of 23 country-specific diets, the question-based HALF index closely matches the original HALF index with a regression slope of near unity (r2 = 0.94, p < 0.001). Our results indicate that the question-based HALF index can be used by individual consumers to quantify the consequences of their dietary choices on land use for agriculture.