As the United Nations COP28 summit in Dubai approaches, the focus on plant-based menus at the event raises questions about whether world leaders will address the meat industry’s impact on climate change.
The United Nations COP28 summit is set to take place in Dubai, with an estimated 70,000 attendees expected to gather for the world’s largest climate conference. While the event aims to assess the state of global warming and set targets to combat it, this year’s conference will also feature a significant change in the menu. Two-thirds of the food served at COP28 will be plant-based, a decision made after efforts by the youth-led Food@COP coalition. This shift reflects the growing recognition that the food industry, particularly meat and dairy production, plays a substantial role in greenhouse gas emissions and other environmental issues. However, the question remains whether world leaders will address the meat industry’s impact on climate change in the conference negotiations.
The Environmental Impact of Meat and Dairy Production
One-third of global greenhouse gas emissions can be attributed to the food industry, with meat and dairy production accounting for a significant portion of this. However, these products only provide 18 percent of the world’s calories. Additionally, meat and dairy production contribute to deforestation, biodiversity loss, pandemic risk, and water pollution. Dairy production alone emits more greenhouse gases than global aviation. In contrast, plant-based foods have a smaller carbon footprint and require less land and water.
A Shift in COP28’s Menu, but Not in Negotiations
While the plant-based shift in COP28’s menu is a notable change from previous conferences, it is unlikely to be reflected in the conference negotiations where climate targets are set. The challenge lies in addressing the politically sensitive issue of meat consumption. Many environmental scientists have called on wealthy countries to reduce meat consumption and embrace plant-based diets to significantly reduce agricultural emissions. However, policymakers are more inclined to adopt technologies and farming practices that marginally reduce livestock emissions. A balanced approach combining both strategies is necessary, but political expediency and corporate influence often lead policymakers down the less effective path.
The High Meat Consumption in Wealthy Countries
The consumption of meat in wealthy countries, particularly the United States, is significantly higher than the global average. Americans consume almost 70 percent more meat per capita than Europeans and 200 percent more than the global average. If the US continues its current level of meat consumption without changing farming practices, agriculture could become the country’s largest source of emissions by 2050. This highlights the need for American and other world leaders to address the issue of meat consumption.
The Challenge of Shifting Diets
While COP28 will dedicate some attention to food emissions, including discussions on plant-based eating and meat alternative technology, negotiations are unlikely to prioritize these topics. Shifting diets to be more plant-based is challenging due to cultural and economic factors. Meat consumption has become deeply ingrained in Western diets and is often associated with prosperity and masculinity. Taking meat off the menu to combat climate change is not politically popular. Additionally, the livestock industry wields significant influence in policymaking and has a strong presence at COP.
The Imbalance in Meat Consumption
There is a stark imbalance in meat consumption between the Global North and South. In the Global North, where meat consumption is high, there is a consensus among climate scientists that dietary changes are necessary. However, governments and industry tend to favor farming practices and techno-fixes over dietary shifts. While COP28 will address plant-based eating and meat alternatives to some extent, the focus is likely to be on approaches favored by the livestock industry.
Conclusion:
The shift towards plant-based menus at the UN COP28 summit highlights the need to address the meat industry’s impact on climate change. While the conference will dedicate attention to food emissions, negotiations may not prioritize the issue of meat consumption. Shifting diets to be more plant-based is challenging due to cultural and economic factors, and the livestock industry holds significant influence in policymaking. However, a balanced approach that combines dietary changes with sustainable farming practices is necessary to combat climate change effectively. As discussions on food emissions gain traction, there is hope for progress in addressing the meaty issue at future climate conferences.
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