Most British adults agree that changing diets could reduce impacts of climate change, although taste, value and health remain the most important factors when shopping for food, according to new research.
The survey, which was commissioned by Global Food Security, a UK alliance of public funders of food-related research, asked more than 2000 people about their attitudes to climate change and its linkages to the food system.
Of those who agreed that human behaviour is resulting in the earth’s climate changing, two thirds said that the food system is a key contributor to climate change, and the same proportion agreed that we could significantly reduce the impact of climate change if we all made changes to our diets.
Young people, aged 18-24, were most open to changing their diets, particularly regarding adopting vegetarian, pescatarian or vegan diets. However, six in ten of those surveyed said that they would never consider a vegan diet, half would never consider a pescatarian diet and two in five would never consider a vegetarian diet.
But most would like to receive more information on climate change and its relationship with the food system, suggesting more could be done to increase awareness.
Read the report the GFS report here. Sustain campaigns for a greener, healthier and fairer food system. Read more about our activities here.
Published Friday 3 March 2017
Sustain: Sustain The alliance for better food and farming advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, enrich society and culture and promote equity.
