UN Report Finds Meat Alternatives Have “Strong Potential for Reduced Environmental Impacts”
A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has investigated the potential of plant-based, cultivated, and fermented meat alternatives to address the environmental impact of animal foods. The report notes that forecasts for the growth of the alt meat market vary considerably, with projections for its share of the total meat market ranging from 4 to 60 percent by 2040. The authors suggest that significant technological advances will be needed to help meat alternatives compete with animal products on taste and price, and to make them available on a wider scale. However, meat alternatives already “show strong potential for reduced environmental impacts compared to many conventional animal products”, particularly if produced using low-carbon energy. Furthermore, they have public health benefits such as lowering the …