The UK can become a global leader in alternative proteins, contributing to food security and sustainability goals while providing healthy and sustainable protein sources.
The UK’s current consumption of animal protein is unsustainable, contributing to deforestation, water scarcity, and greenhouse gas emissions. According to the UK Committee on Climate Change, the UK needs to reduce meat and dairy consumption by 20% by 2050 to reach its net-zero targets.
However, alternative proteins must be more appealing, affordable, and available to attract consumers, compete with traditional meat, and alleviate these environmental issues. Collective action — from industry leaders, the government, research institutions, policymakers, and consumers — is needed to support their development and integration in the market.
This is why stakeholders from the UK’s alternative proteins sector have collaborated with Pioneer Group at the new Bezos Center for Sustainable Protein at Imperial College London to identify the key actions to address the sector’s three main challenges in the coming two years: cost, sensory optimization, and a complex regulatory system. Their views have been published in a new report titled Alternative Proteins: The Future of Sustainable & Healthy Food Production.
Taking action
The report outlines several factors needed to support and accelerate the growth of alternative proteins in the coming years, facilitating a transition to sustainable options.
Ten tactical actions have been planned and assigned to specific stakeholders: the Good Food Institute, Pioneer Group, and the National Alternative Protein Innovation Centre (NAPIC), which launched this year with government investment. The identified actions include:
- A comprehensive understanding of the UK’s alternative proteins landscape, including capabilities, infrastructure, and financial assets.
- Development of a database for protein structures to predict properties like allergenicity, solubility, and binding properties.
- Precise terminology and inclusion of alternative proteins in dietary guidelines, such as the food pyramid and the government’s Eatwell guide.
- Regulatory frameworks for different proteins, specifying parameters for standards, performance, safety, functionality, and sustainability, are crucial.
- Access to venture studio, accelerator, and incubator facilities to help entrepreneurs and companies overcome early-stage challenges and progress toward becoming viable and competitive in the market.
- Access to scale-up facilities to help companies bring their products to market and overcome the technical and production challenges associated with scaling up for mass production.
- ‘Oven ready’ projects involving full supply chains, SMEs, and large corporations to facilitate the launch of new products into the market.
- Include the sector in the UK’s industrial strategy to provide vital support and recognition, helping the alternative proteins sector grow and compete globally.
- An investment community with future-proof products supporting alternative protein companies.
- Launch of nationwide communication campaigns to raise awareness of alternative proteins.
“Without more sustainable protein sources, we cannot feed the increasing global population and maintain a healthy planet,” states the report.
For more information, the full report can be downloaded here.
