How The Meat Industry Blocked the IPCC’s Attempt to Recommend a Plant-Based Diet

The meat industry is obstructing efforts to combat Climate change, according to a recent leak of a draft of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) report. The draft initially recommended a shift to plant-based diets, stating that “plant-based diets can reduce GHG emissions by up to 50% compared to the average emission-intensive Western diet.” However, the final report changed the wording to “balanced, sustainable healthy diets acknowledging nutritional needs,” which skirts around direct mentions of beef and dairy.

Brazil and Argentina, countries with large and influential beef industries, have been diligently pushing to delete references to plant-based diets, meat as a high-carbon food, and Meatless Mondays for years. These countries have long-standing, powerful beef lobbies that have held positions in government and influenced important climate policy. The global beef industry was estimated at about $400 billion in 2022, making it a substantial economic and political force.

The meat and dairy industry produces 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization. This accounts for more than half of the environmental impact of food production as a whole.

This leak highlights the extent to which delegations negotiate, water down, and delete scientists’ findings when it comes to Climate change. Norway watered down wording about the urgency to reduce emissions, and China, Saudi Arabia, Iran, and Egypt called for references to subsidies to be deleted. Saudi Arabia pushed to suggest carbon capture and storage as a suitable replacement for using renewable energy, and Switzerland and the US pushed back on a reference to developing countries’ access to climate financing.

As individuals, we can take action to combat Climate change by reducing our meat consumption. Plant-based diets have been shown to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and have a positive impact on the environment. We can also Support companies and politicians who prioritize climate action and work to reduce the influence of powerful industries on climate policy.

While the meat industry may be obstructing efforts to combat Climate change, we can still take action as individuals to make a positive impact. By reducing our meat consumption and supporting climate action, we can help to create a more sustainable future.

Planet B Not Found Tee by Tiny Rescue: Climate Collection

Related Content:

• Biden Lets Meat Industry Off the Hook in Clash With Pledges on Climate Change
• Berlin Universities Go Mostly Meat-Free to Counteract Climate Change
• DeSmog Publishes Exposé on Meat Industry Climate Washing
• Bill Gates Says Rich Countries Should Eat Synthetic Meat to Avoid Climate Disaster
• New Zealand Teaches Students How to Eat Less Dairy and Meat in New Climate Curriculum

Easy Ways to Help the Planet:

• Eat Less Meat: Download Food Monster, the largest plant-based Recipe app on the App Store, to help reduce your environmental footprint, save animals and get healthy. You can also buy a hard or soft copy of our favorite vegan cookbooks.
• Reduce Your Fast Fashion Footprint: Take initiative by standing up against fast fashion Pollution and supporting sustainable and circular brands like Tiny Rescue that raise awareness around important issues through recycled zero-waste clothing designed to be returned and remade over and over again.
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