The scientific foundation
for sustainable food research
Use Eaternity's Environmental Operating System (EOS), the world's most comprehensive and open source food LCA database to power your publications, models, and policy insights.
The operating system forcredible, scalable food impact calculations
Since 2009, the Eaternity database has been continuously expanded and peer-reviewed, becoming the largest open-source food LCA database in the world.
Built for science
Rooted in 15+ years of peer-reviewed LCA methodology, reviewed and optimized by renowned scientific partners
Transparent and traceable
Aligned with FAIR data principles and open-source ethos
Continually updated
Regularly revised to reflect latest research findings and stakeholder feedback
Broad coverage
Includes global and European datasets like Ecoinvent, Agribalyse, Quantis, and FiBL
Open source & collaborative
Designed for harmonization, peer review, and public-good use cases. Accepts contributions and co-authorship proposals.
EOS is free to access and open for non-commercial research and academic use.
For commercial applications (e.g. software tools, platforms), .
EOS: Powering food transparency through open data
The Environmental Operating System (EOS) is the scientific engine behind Eaternity. It's the most comprehensive open source database for calculating the environmental and health impact of food, powering research, and policy innovation across Europe.
What's included:
- 950+ food items
Comprehensive coverage of ingredients and products
- 8 food processing models
Detailed processing impact calculations
- Aligned with international standards
Including: ISO 14040/44, GHG Protocol Scope, and PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) recommendations (*upcoming)
- CO₂eq + extended environmental indicators
Water, animal welfare, rainforest, nutrition
- Dynamic models for transport, preservation, seasonality
Context-aware impact calculations
- Semantic structure for clear mapping and interpretation
API and future web UI planned
Use EOS to:
Access CO₂eq, water, biodiversity, and nutrition data
Across almost a thousand ingredients
Compare production methods
Organic vs. conventional, wild vs. farmed, seasonal vs. greenhouse
Build models for lifecycle analysis
LCA, Sustainable Development Goals progress, Net Zero scenarios, and food system transformations
Who Uses and Contributes to EOS
Eaternity collaborates with leading institutions:
ETH Zurich
Swiss Federal Institute of Technology - Leading research collaboration
University of Zurich
Research partnerships in sustainability science
Zurich University of Applied Sciences
Applied research in environmental systems
Research Institute of Organic Agriculture (FiBL)
Organic farming and sustainable agriculture research
Quantis
Environmental impact assessment and LCA methodology
Agribalyse & Others
International database and methodology collaborations
Publications and Use Cases
Eaternity's data has been cited in academic and institutional reports, including:
Explore Our Research
Research Papers
Additional Resources
Smart Chefs - Health, Climate and Environment
A comprehensive study exploring the conflicts and synergies between health, climate, and environmental considerations in food systems. This research provides insights into how chefs and food service professionals can balance nutritional needs with environmental sustainability.
Start working with us now.
Whether you're modeling food systems, developing new sustainability tools, or writing your next journal article, EOS and the Eaternity science team are here to support your research.
Help Shape the Future of Sustainable Food
Become a Scientific Advisor of the European Sustainable Food Coalition — a network of leading foodservice providers, producers, scientists, and solution providers working to define common standards for sustainability in food.
As a Scientific Advisor, you will:
Review proposals and methods
Shape methodologies for food sustainability assessment
Collaborate with researchers and policymakers
Work with leading experts across the food system
Participate in working groups on food LCA, Scope 3, and carbon labeling
Shape the future of food sustainability assessment
