Plant-based meat: one of the best ways to fight GHGs
According to a study carried out by a major American consulting firm, the so-called meat industry plant would be one of the most effective ways to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, ahead of the adoption of an electric car.
If you want to devote part of your budget to a mode of consumption that respects the climate, bet instead on the purchase of meat substitutes. Indeed, according to a recent survey by the Boston Consulting Group (BCG), relayed by The Guardian, these products would be those whose investment proves to be the most effective in the fight against the climate crisis.
According to the study, investment in the production of vegetable substitutes and dairy products would lead to eleven times more greenhouse gas (GHG) reductions than investments in electric cars, three times more than in cement green and seven times more than those in green buildings.
Pollution generated by livestock farming accounts for around 15% of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, one of the largest sources of pollution in the world. These CO2 emissions are both related to the feed of farm animals, as well as the methane released in their excrement.
According to the BCG report, “we will see a reduction of 0 .85 gigatonnes of CO2 equivalent globally by 2030 if we stay on track for an 11% share of alternative protein by 2035”. This is equivalent to decarbonizing 95% of the aviation sector.
Vegetable steaks, cell meat, tempeh… Although it represents a tiny share of the market (2% of proteins sold on the market), the vegetable meat sector is attracting growing interest. “In 2020, companies participated in around 60% of funding rounds. Although this figure has fallen in 2021 due to the rapid growth of investments in cell-derived proteins and fermentation – that attract more venture capital and less corporate funding – businesses continue to make valuable non-cash investments,” the BCG report says.
