Many scientists and sustainability leaders suggest reducing your meat intake is an effective way to lower your personal carbon footprint.
Veg and vegan food in 5 simple steps
- Understand your options. Veg and vegan diets vary and, as with any diet, it’s important to plan your meals to ensure you eat nutritious, balanced food.
- Visit a local farmer’s market. You may be able to pick up fresh fruit and veg that are seasonal and affordable. Visit Brisbane has a guide to local markets. Or, begin growing your own.
- Learn to cook legumes like lentils, chickpeas, beans and tofu. Start with just one simple recipe for each. Follow those links!
- Explore meat alternatives. This includes both plant-based and cell-based alternatives. Learn about the difference here.
- Pack vegan snacks like nuts and dried fruit. Here are some more ideas.
These tips are compiled using information from the following sources: HealthDirect, Visit Brisbane, SBS Food, BBC Good Food, Food Standards Aus NZ.
Understanding the problem
Calculating meat-related emissions is complex. Many studies offer different figures, depending on exactly what goes into the calculation. However, most research agrees that red meat (especially beef) has the highest rate of emissions of any food source.
A 2021 report from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) says livestock emissions comprise around 30% of all human-caused methane emissions. Other studies have investigated the food supply chain more broadly, incorporating additional factors such as energy, industry and waste from unused food (see DIY Sustainability – pantry audit). These approaches are more nuanced, but they also conclude that meat is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions.
The UNEP report states that reducing agricultural emissions is essential in the battle against climate change. “Shifting towards plant-rich diets” is one way to help, UNEP says.
Understanding your impact
Vegetarian or vegan eating doesn’t have to be ‘all or nothing’. Incorporating one regular vegetarian day per week would reduce your individual food-related greenhouse gas emissions by around 20%, based on United States data.
The same study also shows that Australia has one of the highest per capita meat intakes in the world. It emphasises that Australians could therefore make a meaningful impact by shifting towards a plant-forward diet.
Alternatively, a regular diet that is roughly two thirds vegan would reduce our individual food-related greenhouse gas emissions by about 60%, the research suggests.
These kinds of diets are sometimes called “flexitarian’ and have been shown to also deliver numerous health benefits (for e.g., in this comprehensive literature review).
Where to next?
This is part of our DIY sustainability series, created for UQ Sustainability Week and beyond. The series offers simple suggestions and fun activities for students, staff and members of the public who would like to increase sustainability-related actions in their daily lives.