UK Climate Change Committee calls for shift to precision fermentation and plant-based foods
Investment should be made in precision fermentation and plant-based foods, the UK Government’s official climate advisor, the Climate Change Committee, has said in a report on reducing carbon emissions.
The report, called the Seventh Carbon Budget, also calls for meat consumption, especially red meat, to fall by 25% – 30% and dairy by 20% by 2040, to be replaced with plant-based foods and alternative proteins.
Jasmijn de Boo, Global CEO at ProVeg International, said: “This is the right direction to take for the food system, in light of the huge impact that animal agriculture has on our planet. We urge the UK Government to take its climate advisors seriously, heed this advice and incorporate it into Government food policies as soon as possible.”
On top of this, the report also recommends public education on plant-based diets, clear labelling, and support for low-income households.
“It’s fantastic to see the Climate Change Committee’s call for a shift in food systems transformation, and one that we hope the Government accedes to,” Sophia Millar, Head of Programmes at ProVeg UK, said.
“We’re already making meat and dairy reduction simple with our School Plates programme that’s seen over 90 catering partners increase the quantity and quality of plant-based school food offerings at more than 8,000 schools.”
“This report provides a great opportunity to platform the incredible benefits of plant-based foods, and all the good this essential dietary change will bring not only for the planet, but for our health. We’re excited for the power of plants to take centre stage and will continue to champion plant-based as the default across public sector catering,” Millar added.
The UK last year committed £15 million for a new centre for alternative proteins at Leeds University whilst the Netherlands committed €60 million in 2022 to support the creation of a national cellular agriculture ecosystem, as part of the country’s National Growth Fund. Germany allocated €38 million in 2023 for the promotion of alternative proteins whilst in Poland last year, €2 million was awarded to cultivated meat company LabFarm by Poland’s National Center for Research and Development (NCBR).
Denmark has already led the way with promoting plant-based foods by becoming the first country to implement an Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods.
ProVeg is one of 130 organisations that have signed a letter directed at the European Commission calling for an EU-wide Action Plan for Plant-Based Foods to be developed by the European Commission by 2026.
Major food recommendations in the UK Seventh Carbon Budget report include:
Meat and dairy reduction: The committee recommends that by 2040, meat consumption, especially red meat, should fall by 25% – 30% and dairy by 20%, replaced with plant-based foods and alternative proteins. ProVeg says this could be achieved through greater public procurement of plant-based foods, and working with retailers to increase alternative protein sources on the shelves of supermarkets;
Reduction in cattle and sheep. The committee recommends that the numbers of cattle and sheep should decrease by 27% to lower emissions and the farmland freed from livestock should be repurposed for woodland, peatland restoration, and bioenergy crops;
Agricultural emissions: The committee recommends a 39% reduction in agricultural emissions by 2040, through improved productivity and reduced fertiliser use;
Carbon leakage prevention: The committee cautions that policies must prevent increased meat and dairy imports offsetting domestic reductions;
Consumer awareness and affordability: Public education on plant-based diets, clear labeling, and support for low-income households are recommended.
Plant-based foods emit half the greenhouse gas emissions as animal-based foods, making their production and consumption an effective way for Governments and individuals to contribute to the battle against climate change.
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Notes for Editors
For media inquiries, contact Peter Rixon at [email protected] or Jade Chapman at [email protected].
For scientific data about the benefits of plant-based eating, see our Food System Data website.
About ProVeg International
ProVeg International is a food awareness organisation with the mission to replace 50% of animal products globally with plant-based and cultivated foods by 2040. Our vision is a world where everyone chooses delicious and healthy food that is good for all humans, animals, and our planet.
