A plant-based diet has the potential to reshape the future of our planet by significantly reducing global food-related emissions.
A recent study shows that switching to a plant-based diet could reduce climate-warming greenhouse gas emissions from our food supply chain by an impressive 17 percent.
Our dietary choices aren’t just about our personal health – they can literally change the world.
Plant-based diet and global emissions
Switching from meat-heavy dishes to plant-heavy dishes could bring significant benefits to our environment.
A team of international researchers has carefully studied the impact of such a dietary change on global emissions.
The researchers found something remarkable. An incredible 56.9 percent of the world’s population who currently overconsume could reduce their dietary emissions by 32.4 percent simply by following the “planetary health diet” recommended by the EAT-Lancet Commission.
It is undeniable that this change in diet also presents a challenge: global food emissions are expected to increase by 15.4 percent as malnourished populations, which currently make up 43.1 percent of the world’s population, adopt a healthier diet.
However, the study confidently states that the benefits would still outweigh the increase in emissions.
Fair emissions
The research also highlights a fascinating dichotomy: wealthier countries with high food expenditure are also those that contribute heavily to dietary emissions, mainly due to their high consumption of red meat and dairy products.
Although these wealthy countries have less inequality, their eating habits reflect this. In contrast, less wealthy countries have both lower emissions and more inequality.
“Animal products have greater potential for emissions reduction compared to plant-based products. Reducing the overconsumption of emissions-intensive products, particularly by affluent consumer groups in wealthy countries, could bring significant health and climate benefits,” noted Dr Yuli Shan of the University of Birmingham.
Change practices, protect the planet
To drive this change, the study recommends introducing incentives such as carbon pricing and eco-labels, as well as expanding the availability of less emission-intensive products, such as vegetarian foods.
A well-structured food environment, coupled with planned urban development and infrastructure, could facilitate the transition to healthier eating habits.
In fact, this dietary change is not feasible in all regions, such as Mongolia, where the traditional nomadic lifestyle means that red meat and dairy products are the mainstay of the diet. Promoting nutrition education could be a practical solution in such regions.
Challenges of switching to a plant-based diet
Low-income countries obviously have it harder. “Over 1.5 billion low-income people worldwide cannot afford the costs of a planet-friendly diet. Therefore, improving agricultural efficiency and adapting trade policies are crucial,” noted Professor Klaus Hubacek of the University of Groningen.
Another challenge is to make nutritious food affordable and accessible, especially for lower-income groups who typically rely on high-calorie but low-nutrient foods.
The study examined food emissions in detail in 139 countries and revealed the inequality in emissions within each country.
Plant-based diet for emissions assessment
“The aim of the diet change scenario is to assess the food system emission reductions resulting from changing consumer habits, not to force everyone to adopt the same diet,” says Yanxian Li, a doctoral student at the University of Groningen.
Undoubtedly, implementing this dietary change would require significant changes in global food production.
For example, the production of red meat, sugar, tubers and cereals would have to be reduced, while the production of pulses, nuts, added fats, fruit and vegetables would have to be increased.
The ripple effect
Achieving the desired dietary change could affect global markets, lead to fluctuating prices for agricultural products and land values, and potentially boost biofuel production – a phenomenon we are already seeing. The knock-on effects could offset some of the benefits of dietary change.
The growing awareness about the health of our planet is encouraging, but the profound changes required in our global food system underscore an urgent need: it is time for us to make smarter, more sustainable food choices, for the sake of ourselves and the planet.
Growing popularity of plant-based diets
As environmental awareness increases, plant-based diets are becoming increasingly popular around the world.
This change is not just a trend – it is a response to the growing realization that our food choices have a profound impact on the planet.
By reducing their consumption of animal products and eating more plant-based foods, everyone can contribute to a more sustainable food system that benefits both human health and the environment.
Switching to a plant-based diet is not only a choice for better health, but also a crucial step in the fight against climate change.
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