Ordering plant-based meals could save the planet: research

Amongst G20 countries, Australia’s food sector has the highest per capita GHG emission.

Australian consumers who will switch their regular beef burgers for plant-based patties could reduce their global warming potential (GWP) by 90%, new research revealed.

In an article published at the Fifth Estate, researchers from the University of Technology Sydney study focused on the climate impact of meat-based patties and plant-based alternatives within the fast-food sector.

“Our study found huge potential benefits associated with replacing animal-based foods with plant-based alternatives in the fast-food sector, including a reduction in GHG emissions, water and land use,” Research Principal, Institute for Sustainable Futures, Melita Jazbec said.

Aside from reducing their GWP by 90% by switching to plant-based patties, replacing just 25% of beef consumed with plant-based alternatives per year would result in a reduction of GHG emissions equivalent to taking 150,000 cars off the road. 

Alternatively, if half of beef burgers was replaced with plant-based options in the fast food sector, the reduction in GHG emissions would be like taking more than 300,000 cars off the road.

Meanwhile, replacing chicken burgers with plant-based options will reduce a consumer’s GWP by 60%.

“If only 25% of chicken patties was replaced with plant-based alternatives, it could mean taking 52,000 cars off the road,” the report said.

Additionally, replacing 25% of beef with plant-based alternatives in the fast-food sector would also save water equivalent to 5200 Olympic swimming pools. Replacing chicken would mean saving water equivalent to 800 Olympic swimming pools.

“When it comes to consumption, one in three Australians already seek to reduce meat intake for mainly health-related, animal welfare and environmental reasons. Whilst the fast-food sector has begun to offer some plant-based options, continuing to do so may mean Australia’s sizable fast-food sector could potentially play an important role in combating climate change. Continuing to highlight the benefits of meat reduction along with changes being reflected in policies, guidelines and communication on diets and consumer choices would be important moving forward,” Jazbec said.