If all of us went vegan, greenhouse gas emissions would fall by more than a third To meet the country’s climate targets, Brits should turn to vegan and vegetarian diets

Michael Gove has revealed that if the UK went vegan, greenhouse gas emissions would be cut by more than a third.

The Environment Secretary commissioned a report that said in order to meet the country’s climate targets, Brits should cut down their meat consumption and turn to vegan and vegetarian diets.

Britain generates the equivalent of about 1bn tons of CO2 a year, and the report said CO2 emissions would reduce by 60m-90m tons if everyone switched to a meat and dairy free diet.

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It said: “The reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from moving to healthy diets was 12 per cent. Moving to vegetarian the reduction was 26 per cent and for veganism it was 36 per cent.”

Better for the environment

Mark Banahan, of the Vegan Society, said the government should start by guaranteeing a vegan option on menus in schools, hospitals and prisons.

The UK is already embracing a vegan lifestyle with many major retailers and food manufacturers catering for the meat and diary free diets.

Marks and Spencer introduced a vegan range called Plant Kitchen while McDonald’s new vegan wrap and Happy Meal.

Restaurant chain TGI Friday introduced a vegan burger that bleeds for Veganuary The burger is made using beetroot, coconut oil, mushrooms, herbs, plant proteins and spices.

Vegan friendly food

Pizza Hut, Iceland and Zizzi created vegan pizzas while high street baker Greggs went viral and caused a social media storm when it launched its vegan sausage roll.

However, it wasn’t all good news for vegans who chose to buy products from the new M&S range.

The high street chain faced a backlash over foods such as Thai green curry, mushroom stroganoff and cauliflower popcorn.

While the packaging claims to be suitable for vegans, a closer look at the small print reveals that these products are “not suitable for milk or egg allergy sufferers”.