A recent multi-university study reveals that transitioning from red meat to nuts and legumes could significantly reduce the food system’s climate impact. Adopting the EAT-Lancet Commission’s Planetary Health Diet—which emphasizes increased consumption of plant-based foods and reduced intake of meat and dairy—could lower global greenhouse gas emissions by up to 17%.
Developed in 2019 to address the dietary needs of a projected 10 billion people by 2050, the Planetary Health Diet recommends that over half of our diets consist of fruits and vegetables, with more than a third comprised of whole grains, plant proteins, and oils. Meat, dairy, and seafood should account for no more than 3.6% each.
The study, published in Nature Climate Change, underscores the disproportionate emissions resulting from high red meat and dairy consumption in wealthy nations. Conversely, lower-income countries contribute fewer emissions due to less meat consumption. If the 57% of the global population currently overconsuming protein shifted to the Planetary Health Diet, it could achieve a 32.4% reduction in emissions. This would offset a 15.4% increase in emissions from healthier diets in underconsuming regions, resulting in a net 17% decrease.
The study highlights the need for affluent nations to cut back on high-emission products like beef. “Reducing consumption of emission-intensive products in wealthy countries could yield substantial health and climate benefits,” said lead author Yuli Shan. The research shows that animal proteins contribute 52% of dietary emissions, while plant-based foods account for 48%. However, plant-based foods supply 87% of global calories, making them more efficient compared to the high emissions from red meat and dairy.
High-income countries, such as Australia and the US, generate a significant proportion of emissions from meat and dairy despite these foods providing a small fraction of total calories. In contrast, many low-income regions rely more on plant-based foods, which are also their primary calorie source.
Countries with traditional diets centered around red meat and dairy, like Mongolia, might not easily shift to plant-based diets. Instead, they could benefit from improved nutritional education. Low-income countries, facing challenges in affording the Planetary Health Diet, require targeted policies to enhance agricultural efficiency and food access.
The study advocates for increased crop yield through improved agricultural practices and reduced trade barriers, alongside tailored policies for various regions. In wealthier countries, measures such as meat and carbon taxes, eco-labeling, and subsidies for plant-based foods could promote diet shifts. The findings align with previous research highlighting the climate benefits of plant-based diets, suggesting significant reductions in emissions through dietary changes.