4 ways to limit the environmental impact of our food choices

It’s time to rethink our food systems, as they influence – and are influenced by – climate change.

We need to take bold action on our food systems.

With the world population still growing, it’s clear we need more food, but less environmental damage. The sector is responsible for a quarter of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, so our food and agriculture choices are central to slowing global warming.[1]

How can we meet growing demand and make food systems more sustainable at the same time? Here are four approaches:

??Greener fertilisers

Nitrogen fertilisers are a central part of modern food production – but they are made from fossil fuels, mainly gas.[2] It is possible to make the same fertilisers with reduced emissions using green hydrogen, produced with renewable energy, as a feedstock. This method is in its earliest stages and needs an aggressive push. [3] Other innovative options include inoculating crops with microbes that extract nitrogen from the air. Our firm, Generation Investment Management, has invested in a company pursuing this approach.?

??Plant-based meat

Demand for meat is increasing – yet it’s one of the biggest causes of emissions in the food system.[4] Although meat alternatives have a lower environmental footprint, they are struggling to penetrate the market. Government incentives could help push consumers toward a more plant-based diet and that could help bring down emissions.

??Eliminating deforestation from supply chains

Coordinated efforts from governments can give forest protection laws teeth. The EU, US and UK are considering, or already implementing, bans on the importation of deforestation-related products.[5] Forest countries, meanwhile, need to find ways to balance the protection of their natural resources with improving the livelihoods of their people.

???Reducing food waste

Huge amounts of food goes to waste – with 17% of all food available to consumers ending up in the bin.[6] And producing, transporting and letting that food rot makes up 8% of our greenhouse gas emissions. Changing consumer habits to encourage only buying what is needed – and composting any leftovers – can help cut emissions.

Read our full Sustainability Trends Report to learn more about making our food systems sustainable.

[1] https://ourworldindata.org/food-ghg-emissions

[2] https://www.carbonbrief.org/fertiliser-emissions-could-be-cut-to-one-fifth-of-current-levels-by-2050/#:~:text=In%20addition%2C%20producing%20fertilisers%20is,keep%20global%20warming%20below%202C .

[3] https://phys.org/news/2022-12-fertilizer-carbon-emissions.html

[4] https://ourworldindata.org/food-ghg-emissions

[5] https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2023/jan/05/eu-ban-on-deforestation-linked-goods-sets-benchmark-say-us-lawmakers#:~:text=A%20groundbreaking%20EU%20deal%20to,world%2C%20mostly%20to%20agricultural%20expansion .

[6] https://www.un.org/en/climatechange/science/climate-issues/food#:~:text=Food%20needs%20to%20be%20grown,emissions%20is%20linked%20to%20food .