Legal / Regulatory

UK Needs to Embrace Veganism to Reach Net-Zero Carbon Emissions by 2050

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"The market is failing ... government must lead."

Facilitating a shift towards a vegan plant-based diet, making green energy cheaper and discouraging "excessive flying", are some 'behavioral changes' required for consumers if the UK is going to meet its target of cutting carbon emissions to "net zero" by 2050.

The report, commissioned by the UK's influential Committee on Climate Change (CCC), states "while climate and public health crises continue to worsen, meat is cheap and awareness of the environmental impacts of the food system is low." An evidence review by the Food Carbon Research Network further concludes that shifting to sustainable diets will not happen if left to the market, individuals, or voluntary industry initiatives.

Recommendations include: mandating vegan meals at public-sector canteens, teaching plant-based cooking skills, funding R&D for plant-based meat and dairy, facilitating a 'new protein economy', reducing consumption of animal-based meat and dairy products and lowering subsidies for the animal agriculture industry.

In addition, food packaging labels are suggested to indicate the environmental impact of the product, similar to the colours used for traffic lights, red to indicate products are environmentally damaging and green for those having a lower carbon impact.

Researchers at Imperial College London, who authored the report noted that the UK's commitment to achieve net zero carbon emissions by 2050 coincides with the deadline the United Nations has said must be met to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Centigrade above per-industrial levels. The UN and international scientists warned that warming of more than 2C would result in catastrophic and irreversible effects.