Burger. Credit: Pexels
It's Time to Act on Processed Meat, released by the Eating Better Alliance, calls for immediate action to reduce processed meat consumption for health and the environment
Burger. Credit: Pexels
The food system is a major contributor to the climate and nature emergency, with livestock responsible for 15% global greenhouse gas emissions and a major cause of habitat destruction. The UK Committee on Climate Change calls for a 35% to 50% reduction in meat consumption by 2050 to achieve our climate change targets and limit global warming to 1.5°C.
As the repert outlines, shifting to a diet lower in meat and dairy has the potential to reduce food system emissions by up to 80% by 2050. It argues that the reduction or elimination of processed meat offers the most opportunities for health co-benefits, due to the significant health damage these foods cause. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) considers processed meat a Group 1 carcinogen (meaning it can cause cancer), with even small amounts (under 50g per day) increasing the risk of bowel cancer. Cancer Research UK estimates that 13% of the 42,000 new cases of bowel cancer every year are caused by eating too much processed meat. Processed meat includes sausages, bacon, ham, salami, smoked, cured or canned meat such as corned beef, sliced chicken and turkey, burgers, hot dogs, and other reconstituted meat products.
With processed meat currently accounting for 30% of meat intake in the UK, the report calls for urgent action, including:
Ruth Westcott, climate and nature emergency coordinator at Sustain said:
"We have no hope of tackling the climate and nature crises unless healthy and climate-friendly food is more accessible and affordable. Guaranteeing great school and hospital food and limiting advertising of the most unhealthy and unsustainable foods can be done quickly, and at minimal cost, with huge benefits to both the planet and people. This report serves as a call to action for organisations and policymakers to do so.”
To access the full report and learn more about its findings, visit the Eating Better Alliance.
Food for the Planet: Food for the Planet is helping local authorities, businesses and organisations take simple actions to tackle the climate and nature emergency through food.
Sustain
The Green House
244-254 Cambridge Heath Road
London E2 9DA
020 3559 6777
sustain@sustainweb.org
Sustain advocates food and agriculture policies and practices that enhance the health and welfare of people and animals, improve the working and living environment, promote equity and enrich society and culture.
© Sustain 2024
Registered charity (no. 1018643)
Data privacy & cookies
Icons by Icons8