Cutting 'overconsumption' of meat and dairy could cut emissions from food by one-sixth

New research shows that a global shift towards a diet that reduces "excessive consumption" of meat and dairy could reduce 17 % of global food emissions per year. According to a study published in Nature Climate Change, if consumers with higher dietary emissions reduced red meat consumption in favor of more legumes and nuts, global food system emissions would drop by 32 %.

Improving the diet of "under-consumed" populations would also lead to 15 % an increase in emissions from the diet.

Researchers analyzed emissions from food products consumed by two types of populations – those consuming higher amounts of animal products and those with lower intakes of these foods – in more than 100 countries. They then modeled changes in emissions resulting from a potential shift in the global diet. (YANINE QUIROZ, more at carbonbrief.org)