What

FABA LOOP investigates whether Denmark can realistically expand domestic faba bean

production to reduce dependence on imported soy-based protein. The project quantifies current

protein flows, identifies viable opportunities for expansion, estimates stress-adjusted yields under

climatic and agronomic constraints, and evaluates environmental impacts of alternative

expansion scenarios within Danish plant-protein food systems.

Why

Europe currently relies heavily on imported soy-based protein, which is linked to deforestation

and significant environmental impacts outside the region.FABA LOOP addresses the need for

more resilient and sustainable plant-protein food systems by assessing how locally adapted faba

beans can strengthen domestic protein supply, improve climate resilience, and support

Denmark’s climate and sustainability targets.

How

The Project follows a four-step analytical framework. First, protein-flow accounting (Material

Flow Analysis, MFA) maps Denmark’s current protein balance and soy import dependence..

Second, stakeholder-informed constraints from farmers, advisors, and agronomic datasets define

realistic expansion pathways for faba beans. Third, Sentinel-2 satellite data combined with

machine-learning methods produce stress-adjusted yield maps reflecting spatial and climatic

variability. Finally, Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) evaluates scenario impacts for protein

self-sufficiency, environmental performance, and broader sustainability outcomes in Danish

plant-protein food systems

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