GREEN EATING
delicious food that cares for you and the planet
MEAT AND DAIRY
Meat plays an important yet contentious role in the food sustainability discussion. We are a nation that loves meat, and for many good reasons; it has delicious flavour, its seeped in culture and provides good source of complete proteins. Yet an ingredient that used to be a rare treat, celebrated and savoured, is now consumed daily, often in every meal. Put simply, we are eating far too much meat for the planet to sustain.
We do not all need to become vegans to ensure food sustainability, but there is overwhelming evidence now that we need to eat a lot less meat and dairy.​​
THE CHALLENGES OF MEAT AND DAIRY
01
Methane Machines
Livestock is a significant producer of greenhouse gases. Cows, sheep and goats are the biggest contributors, as they have a unique digestion system which produces methane as they break down food. Despite common belief, the animals actually burp this out rather than fart! Methane is a particularly potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential of 21 x that of carbon dioxide.
02
Wasted energy
Even chickens and pigs still have a higher carbon footprint than plants, as raising livestock is less energy efficient than just eating the plants ourselves. Rearing animals takes a lot of resources, particularly food. Yet energy from the feed is lost along the food chain to processes like the animal's movement, respiration (breathing) and excretion (pooing). A lot of energy is also lost to creating inedible biomass. For cattle, as little as 1% of the energy in feed is actually converted into edible meat, and 11% for poultry.
03
More land please!
Animals need a lot of space to roam and graze. Much more than what's needed to produce the same nutritional value in plant-based foods. 73% of our agricultural land in the UK is used to rear livestock, yet animal derived products provide just 28% of our total calories. One of the biggest drivers of global deforestation, particularly in biodiversity rich areas like the Amazon rainforest, is growing feed for livestock.
04
Poor animal welfare
In the big efficiency push of the 20th century, livestock rearing was intensified too. To speed up the growing process and to maximise output, animals were taking out of the more natural habitat of open fields and confined to indoor barns. This, alongside more inhumane reproduction, feeding and slaughtering methods, has sparked significant question to the ethics of raising animals for food, and where the boundary lies between acceptable and not acceptable animal welfare.
It's not straightforward
There are also some benefits to raising animals. Livestock can make good use of land area that is unsuitable for arable farming, such as the rough and exposed terrain found in the Lake District. Well managed grazing can promote grass growth, soil fertilisation and conversion of non-edible plants into edible food. Livestock farming is also an important part of society, culture livelihoods and the economy.
How much meat should I eat?
A sustainable food system does not need to be completely vegetarian or vegan. But the challenges of meat significantly outweigh the benefits. Reducing meat and dairy consumption is one of the highest potential levers we have to mitigate a climate crisis. Having a couple of meat free days per week, and limiting red meat to once a fortnight, would have a hugely positive impact on the planet and personal health.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
01.
Is locally sourced meat ok?
Sourcing food locally is good for the environment and supports local businesses. However, the emissions produced from transporting food is tiny compared to the gases emitted on the farm. Focusing on what you eat has a much bigger impact than where it’s from.
03.
How does dairy compare?
Since dairy comes from the most significant polluters (cows and sheep), the environmental impact of dairy is actually higher than that of pork, poultry and fish. Plant based dairy alternatives are better for the environment and are fortified to be nutritionally similar.
05.
Isn't tofu worse for the environment?
It’s true that an increased demand for soy is driving deforestation, but the demand is for livestock feed, not direct consumption. Compared to dairy milk, soy uses less land and water and produces fewer greenhouse gases. 95% of Brazilian soy is used to feed livestock.
07.
Will it cost me more?
No! In fact you are highly likely to save money. Vegetables and plant proteins are mostly cheaper than meat. If you are worried about cost – head down the beans and pulses aisle for a huge array of cheap, healthy, filling and delicious options.
02.
Where will I get my protein from?
It is a myth that there is a risk of being protein deficient with a low-meat diet. Whilst plants have less protein per gram than meat, a varied diet will provide more than enough. Irrespective of diet, most people in the UK eat enough protein.
04.
Do we all need to be vegans?
We do not all need to be 100% vegan to have a healthy body and planet. But we do need to eat A LOT less meat, fish and dairy. The guidance is about 300kcal of meat, fish or dairy per day.
06.
What if my family doesn't like it?
Start with familiar recipes, but swap the meat for plant-based protein – like beans, pulses, tofu or meat alternatives. Don’t be afraid to add plenty of seasoning, and favour cooking methods like roasting and pan-frying to add texture and depth of flavour.