The impact of eating habits on the environment
The report by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) entitled, ‘Livestock’s long shadow: environmental issues and options‘, highlighted that 18% of Green House Gas (GHG) emissions originate from the livestock sector. This is as high as the GHG emissions from the transport sector. This was one of the first publications indicating the impact of the livestock sector on GHG emissions. Since then, many other studies have confirmed these findings.
Climate change is not the only environmental consequence of livestock rearing. It is estimated that ~75% of agricultural land is currently used for rearing animals, be it in the form of pastures or land for growing crops to feed animals. As demand for food will keep on rising in the future, it is projected we would need two planets to meet worldwide demand by 2030.
Producing soy foods requires considerably less land and water and emits less CO2 than similar products of animal origin. For example, 1 litre of soy drink requires three times less land, 2.5 times less water and emits 5 times less CO2 than 1 litre of cow’s milk. 1 soy burger even requires 45 times less land, 20 times less water and emits 10 times less C02 than one beef burger. That’s a big difference!
Comparison of CO2-eq emissions, land and water use between soy drink and cow milk
Comparison of CO2-eq emissions, land and water use between soy meat varriations and beef
Plant-based diets
28 June 2013
Plant-based diets are environmentally friendly Many studies demonstrate that the food we eat has an important impact on our planet and…
European cultivation
28 June 2013
The EU is looking to promote protein plant production in Europe, in order to build self-sufficiency and gradually reduce dependence on…
Cardiovascular health
28 June 2013
Soy for a healthy cardiovascular system Cardiovascular disease (CVD) affects millions of people throughout Europe every year. It does not…
Lactose intolerance
28 June 2013
Soy and lactose intolerance Lactose intolerance means that the body is unable to - or has difficulty in - digesting lactose or ‘milk…
Nutritional composition
28 June 2013
Soy foods have an excellent nutritional composition that make them fit well in a healthy and balanced diet. Not only are soy foods a source…
The Role of Plant-Based Diets in Creating a Fair, Healthy and Sustainable Food System
13 January 2023
A global transformation towards sustainable food systems is crucial for delivering on climate change mitigation targets, reversing…