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Why this action matters
Backed by researchScreening overseas programmes for plant-based transition is critical due to the significant environmental impact of current food systems, including high greenhouse gas emissions, excessive land use, and biodiversity loss. Evidence shows that diets high in animal-based foods contribute disproportionately to these issues, while plant-based diets can reduce environmental burdens, making such transitions essential for sustainable food systems.
Concept connections
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What this action would change
Backed by researchThe action itself
Adopting a policy that aligns overseas development programmes with the Plant-Based Treaty ensures that funded activities actively promote plant-based food transitions, thereby reducing reliance on animal-based food systems and supporting sustainable dietary shifts.
What it would change in the UK
This policy shift would align UK overseas programming with evidence showing that high consumption of animal-based foods is associated with greater environmental impact, while plant-based diets can reduce greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and biodiversity loss, supporting UK climate and food security goals.
What it would change worldwide
By directing UK development resources toward plant-based food transitions, the UK would contribute to global food system transformation, helping to keep warming below 1.5°C and supporting the Paris Agreement’s food security goal, while also reducing the environmental burden linked to current dietary patterns.
Where national politics stands
Nothing recorded yetWhat councils have decided (2)
Supporting — 2
The research behind it
Published research about food and farming as a whole, not this action in particular
We are holding this summary back until we have checked it
This summary was written before we started checking summaries against the papers they cite, so it has not been checked.
Research and reports on this action
Food Supply
UK Health Security Agency - HECC · 2023
Open the full report to read the findings ↗
“There is a strong relationship between the amount of animal-based foods in a diet and its environmental impact, including GHG emissions, land use, water use, eutrophication and biodiversity. Dietary shifts away from animal-based foods can make a substantial contribution to reduction of the UK environmental footprint. Uncertainty due to region of origin and methods of food production do not obscure these differences between diet groups and should not be a barrier to policy action aimed at reducing animal-based food consumption.”
Vegans, vegetarians, fish-eaters and meat-eaters in the UK show discrepant environmental impacts
Nature Food · 2023
Research that argues the other way
We are holding this summary back until we have checked it
This summary was written before we started checking summaries against the papers they cite, so it has not been checked.