Rethinking insects as alternative protein: emerging environmental and animal welfare considerations

The document argues that commercial insect farming in high-income northern hemisphere countries often fails to deliver its theoretical environmental benefits. It notes that greenhouse gas emissions from insect protein can approach those of chicken and pork, and that the industry often supports conventional animal agriculture by providing feed rather than replacing meat in human diets. Additionally, the report highlights risks to biodiversity, animal welfare concerns, and the opportunity cost of diverting investment from other alternative proteins like plant-based or cultivated options.

• Insect farming in temperate climates may not provide the expected environmental benefits, as greenhouse gas emissions per kilogram of protein can be similar to chicken and pork and higher than fishmeal or soymeal. Achieving low emissions requires a combination of organic waste feed, minimal heating, and renewable energy that is rarely implemented in practice.
• Rather than replacing meat in human diets, insect farming often supports existing animal agriculture and aquaculture by producing feed for farmed animals.
• The industry presents risks including biodiversity threats from accidental releases and animal welfare issues, while investment in the sector may divert resources from more sustainable alternatives such as fermentation-derived, cultivated, or plant-based proteins.

APA

Verkuijl, C., Garzón, C., Shawoo, Z., Scherer, L., & Le Goff, G. (2026). Rethinking insects as alternative protein: emerging environmental and animal welfare considerations. Stockholm Environment Institute. https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-insects-as-alternative-protein-emerging-environmental-and-animal-welfare-considerations/

Chicago

Verkuijl, Cleo, Camilo Garzón, Zoha Shawoo, Laura Scherer, and Gladys Le Goff. Rethinking insects as alternative protein: emerging environmental and animal welfare considerations. Stockholm Environment Institute, 2026. https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-insects-as-alternative-protein-emerging-environmental-and-animal-welfare-considerations/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Verkuijl |first1=Cleo |last2=Garzón |first2=Camilo |last3=Shawoo |first3=Zoha |last4=Scherer |first4=Laura |last5=Le Goff |first5=Gladys |title=Rethinking insects as alternative protein: emerging environmental and animal welfare considerations |publisher=Stockholm Environment Institute |date=27 May 2026 |url=https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-insects-as-alternative-protein-emerging-environmental-and-animal-welfare-considerations/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{verkuijl2026rethinking, author = {Verkuijl, Cleo and Garzón, Camilo and Shawoo, Zoha and Scherer, Laura and Le Goff, Gladys}, title = {{Rethinking insects as alternative protein: emerging environmental and animal welfare considerations}}, institution = {Stockholm Environment Institute}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://www.sei.org/publications/rethinking-insects-as-alternative-protein-emerging-environmental-and-animal-welfare-considerations/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }