Vegan Diet Massively Cuts Environmental Damage, Study Shows

A groundbreaking study has recently found that adopting a vegan diet can significantly reduce the harmful effects of food production on our environment.

This extensive analysis, the most comprehensive to date, reveals that choosing vegan meals leads to a remarkable 75% decrease in climate-heating emissions, water pollution, and land use compared to diets containing more than 100g of meat per day. Not only that, but vegan diets also cut wildlife destruction by 66% and reduce water usage by 54%.

The impact of meat and dairy consumption on our planet has been widely acknowledged, and it’s clear that people in wealthier nations must reduce their meat intake to combat the climate crisis. However, previous studies relied on hypothetical diet models and average values for assessing the impact of different food types.

Practical approach to analyzing diets

The latest study took a more practical approach by analyzing the actual diets of 55,000 individuals in the UK. To ensure accuracy, it also considered data from 38,000 farms across 119 countries, accounting for variations in the environmental impact of different foods produced in diverse ways and regions.

Surprisingly, the research revealed that what people eat has a far greater impact on the environment than where and how the food is produced. In previous studies, it was found that even the most environmentally friendly meat option, organic pork, is responsible for eight times more climate damage compared to the highest-impact plant-based food, oilseed.

By making informed and conscious decisions about what we eat, we can collectively contribute to a healthier and more sustainable future for all.

Policies to decrease meat consumption

According to the researchers, there is a need to implement policies that encourage people to decrease their meat consumption to meet the country’s climate targets. However, government officials have been reluctant to impose regulations on individual diets, despite having previously introduced measures such as taxes on high-sugar drinks.

The study’s lead researcher, Prof Peter Scarborough from Oxford University, emphasized the significant influence our dietary choices have on the environment. He stated that reducing the intake of meat and dairy products can substantially reduce our impact on the planet, contributing to a more sustainable future.

Impact of global food system

The impact of the global food system on our planet is immense. It is responsible for emitting approximately one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions, which drive global heating.

Additionally, the system consumes a staggering 70% of the world’s freshwater and is accountable for about 80% of the pollution in rivers and lakes. Furthermore, human activities, particularly farming, utilize around 75% of the Earth’s land, leading to the alarming destruction of forests and contributing significantly to the loss of biodiversity.

Prof Neil Ward from the University of East Anglia emphasized the significance of these findings by saying, “This is a significant set of findings. It scientifically reinforces the point made by the Climate Change Committee and the National Food Strategy over recent years that dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a major contribution to reducing the UK’s environmental footprint.”

These conclusions assert that shifting away from animal-based foods in our diets can play a major role in reducing the environmental impact. Adopting more plant-based diets and promoting sustainable food production practices are essential steps toward mitigating the adverse effects of the global food system on our planet.

Limited meat consumption

The study also revealed that diets with limited meat consumption, specifically less than 50g per day, had only half the impact on greenhouse gas emissions, water pollution, and land use compared to diets with higher meat consumption. However, the differences in environmental impact between low-meat, pescetarian, and vegetarian diets were relatively minor.

Prof Richard Tiffin from the University of Reading remarked that this study is the most comprehensive attempt to connect food consumption data with the environmental impact of food production.

He suggested, “Encouraging high-meat-eaters to reduce meat consumption and encouraging vegetarians to become vegans should result in lower emissions.” He further said, “However, it’s hard to justify changes to the diets of moderate omnivores on the basis of these results, other than to switch to a completely vegan diet.”

Sustainable dietary measures

The researchers behind the new study emphasized that achieving global food production sustainability would necessitate significant reductions in meat and dairy consumption among people in wealthier nations.

They stressed that relying solely on other methods, such as new technology and reducing food waste, would not be sufficient to mitigate the environmental impact of the food system.

The study highlighted a substantial disparity in methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas primarily produced by cattle and sheep. Vegan diets exhibited a remarkable 93% lower methane emission compared to high-meat diets.

In 2020, the UK Health Alliance on Climate Change recommended supporting sustainable diets through various measures. These included implementing mandatory environmental labeling on food products, regulating promotions, and introducing taxes on high-carbon foods.

Measures being taken by the governments

A spokesperson from the government emphasized the importance of individuals having the freedom to make their own decisions regarding their food choices.

He said, “People should make their own decisions around the food they eat. Achieving the net-zero target is a priority, and whilst food choices can have an impact on greenhouse gas emissions, well-managed livestock also provide environmental benefits such as supporting biodiversity, protecting the character of the countryside, and generating important income for rural communities.”

🚨New paper in @NatureFoodJnl 🚨
We estimated GHG emissions, land use, water use, water pollution (eutrophication) and biodiversity impact of real-life vegan, vegetarian, fish-eating and meat-eating diets.

All five outcomes strongly correlated with animal-based foods in diet. pic.twitter.com/XxNA7uikdp

— Pete Scarborough (@Pete_Scarbs) July 20, 2023

Recently, the farming minister, Mark Spencer, expressed his interest in exploring innovative solutions to address methane emissions. Specifically, he mentioned the possibility of genetically modified cows that produce less methane.

The government recognizes the significance of personal food choices in relation to environmental goals. They also acknowledge the potential benefits of well-managed livestock for nature and rural communities.

Additionally, exploring new technologies, like genetically modified cows, may offer promising avenues for mitigating methane emissions and furthering sustainability efforts in the farming sector.