Plant-based food and other meat substitutes are critical in cutting emissions

Crossing the tipping point: Alternative proteins case study

Shifting diets towards more alternative proteins, including plant-based foods, precision fermentation, and cultivated meat could be a key solution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, deforestation, land use, water use, biodiversity loss and eutrophication (the harmful accumulation of nutrients in water). ‘Crossing the tipping point: Alternative proteins case study,’ produced in collaboration with the University of Exeter, EEIST, and the Bezos Earth Fund, offers an overview of hydrogen’s potential role and what is required to accelerate adoption.

Key Points

Tackling climate change with diets

Transitioning to alternative proteins could reduce global emissions by 645 Mt CO2e/year by 2030 and a staggering 1.85 Gt/year by 2050.

Healthier diets, healthier people

Adopting plant-based diets could reduce food-system-associated emissions by up to 50%, while also preventing around 11 million deaths annually caused by diet-related diseases. The ‘planetary health’ diet is not only better for the planet but also more affordable and beneficial for human health.

Approaching cost parity

The cost of alternative proteins is dropping. With investment in research and development and economies of scale, products like plant-based and precision-fermented meat are projected to achieve cost parity with traditional meat by the decade’s end.

The role of policy and public support

Governments can play a major role in speeding up the adoption of alternative proteins through public procurement and subsidies. Redirecting subsidies from animal agriculture to plant-based alternatives can stimulate demand and help producers scale.

Boosting investment for growth

Private investment in alternative proteins has surged, but public funding is essential to build the infrastructure needed for mass production and quality improvement.

Changing consumer behaviour

Making plant-based options visible and accessible in public spaces can rapidly shift consumer choices. For example, increasing the share of plant-based meals available on menus leads to a significant rise in consumption.

Alternative proteins can help reshape global food systems, offering sustainable, healthier, and more affordable options that benefit both people and the planet. The Alternative protein case study demonstrates how with the right policies, investments, and consumer support, alternative proteins can become a cornerstone of the global effort to combat climate change.