Consumers who ‘over consume’ red meat could cut global food emissions by 32% by shifting some of what they eat to legumes and nuts… and more

Livestock production and alternative proteins are likely to sit side-by-side in the coming years, with alternative products taking greater market share. But what might this mean for farmers? And what potential might this present to use more land for carbon sequestration and other needs?

Here’s a quick look at Lord Darzi’s Independent Investigation into the NHS, which was published today, and what it says (and doesn’t say) about food, diet-related ill-health (a huge opportunity for reducing the NHS bill, while tackling emissions).

This month: We want to hear from you, new website launch, alternative proteins webinar … and more

The Strategic Dialogue on the Future of EU Agriculture brought together 29 major stakeholders from the European agri-food sectors, civil society, rural communities and academia to reach a common understanding on the further development of a core area of European life and economy in a new format of political discourse.

Methane from livestock is a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. This paper concludes that the scale of emissions and the potential economic value of lost biogas are sufficient to warrant urgent research and action to reduce emissions from manure management with the beneficial prospect that a valuable new income stream for farm businesses could also be realised.

While the environmental case for eating less meat in higher income countries is clear, the health implications of shifting diets towards more plant rich diets is more nuanced, depending on what is being substituted and by whom. This report takes a closer look at plant based meat alternatives – for health, planet, and affordability – and the gives some recommendations.

Summer is a busy time and there’s been a lot flying around in the agri-food space. Jez Fredenburgh, our Knowledge Exchange Fellow, has digested a selection of spring/ summer reports and papers so you don’t have to. Here are some key learnings…

This paper evaluates the unequal distribution of dietary emissions from 140 food products in 139 countries or areas and models the changes in emissions of global diet shifts. Consumers with higher expenditures generally cause more dietary emissions due to higher red meat and dairy intake. Such inequality is more pronounced in low-income countries.

This month: Recruiting our next round of Champions, Watch our webinar with Chris Stark, Save the date for next year’s Big Tent… and more

We need to reframe land-use change in the UK, move away from net zero as the central goal, and talk to farmers more about their livelihoods. These are some of the key messages from Chris Stark, one of the country’s best known and most senior civil servants working on climate policy.

Could growing animal cells in factories cut meat’s environmental footprint? That is the promise of companies developing cultured meat, and the hope of those advocating for policies and investment to back it. But what could this mean for livestock farmers? Might there be any benefits? What do farmers think about it?