EAT-Lancet: High-Income Populations Urged to Shift to Plant-Based Diets to Combat Climate Change
The EAT-Lancet Commission's latest report urges high and middle-income populations in developed countries to adapt their diets significantly to combat climate change. The 'planetary health diet' focuses on plant-based foods, with no more than one serving of animal protein and dairy per day, and one portion of red meat per week.
Increasing crop productivity and reducing food waste could boost emissions reduction by 20%. This shift would not only tackle climate change but also address the nearly 50% of the world's population lacking adequate food.
Reducing beef and lamb consumption to once a week in these populations would bring their emissions down to Russia's level. This change, along with reducing meat production, could limit agriculture's environmental impact by 15%. Plant-based or vegetarian diets could save up to 15 million lives every year and lower agricultural emissions by a similar percentage.
In Germany, a shift towards vegetarian or plant-based diets to combat the climate crisis would likely impact the travel and tourism sector. It would increase demand for sustainable, plant-based food options in hospitality and catering, requiring menu adaptations and supply chain changes. This could stimulate local agriculture to supply more plant-based products and influence culinary tourism trends towards sustainability and health-conscious experiences. However, political and industry resistance, such as lobbying against plant-based product labeling, could also affect market dynamics and consumer perceptions within the sector.
Without dietary changes, climate change is unavoidable. The EAT-Lancet Commission's recommendations offer a significant step towards mitigating this crisis. By embracing the 'planetary health diet', high and middle-income populations can play a crucial role in reducing emissions and ensuring global food security.
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