Eating better and less meat and dairy is key to fighting the climate crisis

The livestock sector's growth poses a significant risk to climate goals, potentially consuming 80% of the remaining GHG budget by 2050 if current trends continue. While global meat production is rising—projected to reach 374 million tonnes by 2030—there is a growing market for Alternative Protein (AP) products, valued at USD 14 bn and expected to exceed USD 162 bn within a decade. However, the transition is hindered by substantial government subsidies, with nearly 90% of global farming subsidies (USD 540 bn annually) supporting beef, milk, and rice. The document emphasizes that while total veganism offers the highest emission reductions, flexitarian and vegetarian diets can also significantly lower emissions. It calls for government policy reforms to redirect subsidies away from industrial agriculture and for businesses to move beyond 'meaningless' net zero targets toward actual reductions in animal numbers in supply chains.

• If the meat and dairy industry continues its current growth trajectory while other sectors follow a 1.5C pathway, the livestock sector could consume 80% of the remaining greenhouse gas budget within 32 years by 2050.
• Global meat production has grown significantly, being nearly six times higher than in 1961, and is projected to reach 374 million tonnes by 2030. Per capita meat consumption is expected to increase by 14% by 2030, with growth remaining strong in middle-income countries.
• The Alternative Protein (AP) market is expanding rapidly, currently valued at USD 14 bn (1% of the global meat market) and projected to exceed USD 162 bn within ten years. Some estimates suggest 60% of meat consumed globally in 2040 will be from AP or lab-grown sources.
• Government subsidies heavily favor industrial livestock; approximately USD 540 bn per year (nearly 90% of total global farming subsidies) is directed toward beef, milk, and rice. In high-income countries, beef receives the most subsidies, while middle-income countries prioritize poultry, sheep, and pork.
• Dietary shifts are critical for emission reductions: vegan diets could reduce emissions by up to 8 GtCO2 eq/yr, while flexitarian and vegetarian diets could reduce them by 4.3-6.4 GtCO2 eq/yr by 2050.

APA

Team, Z. (2021). Eating better and less meat and dairy is key to fighting the climate crisis. Zero Carbon Analytics. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/nature/eating-better-and-less-meat-and-dairy-is-key-to-fighting-the-climate-crisis/

Chicago

Team, ZCA. Eating better and less meat and dairy is key to fighting the climate crisis. Zero Carbon Analytics, 2021. https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/nature/eating-better-and-less-meat-and-dairy-is-key-to-fighting-the-climate-crisis/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Team |first1=ZCA |title=Eating better and less meat and dairy is key to fighting the climate crisis |publisher=Zero Carbon Analytics |date=5 December 2021 |url=https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/nature/eating-better-and-less-meat-and-dairy-is-key-to-fighting-the-climate-crisis/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{team2021eating, author = {Team, ZCA}, title = {{Eating better and less meat and dairy is key to fighting the climate crisis}}, institution = {Zero Carbon Analytics}, year = {2021}, month = dec, url = {https://zerocarbon-analytics.org/nature/eating-better-and-less-meat-and-dairy-is-key-to-fighting-the-climate-crisis/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }