How Diet Changes Can Affect Your Carbon Footprint

It is well understood that meat production has a big carbon footprint. The global agriculture industry, heavily driven by livestock, accounts for 30% of greenhouse gas emissions (USDA). These figures are only set to grow as increasing wealth in developing nations leads to higher meat consumption.

The impact of reducing meat

Eating less beef, pork and lamb makes your CO2 footprint around 31% lower. Going vegetarian is a 47% reduction, and going vegan is a 67% reduction. But every change counts — there are other, easier steps you can take.

Practical dietary changes

Eat seasonal fruit and vegetables — fresher, tastier, higher nutritional value, and far fewer food miles. Drink fewer soft drinks — they require bottling, packaging, and imported sugar. Buy local to support your economy and avoid hundreds of food miles. Reduce packaging by shopping at local markets with reusable bags. Reduce food waste — it produces an estimated 3.3 billion tonnes of greenhouse gases each year, ranked third globally.