Plant-based protein is one of the 'sustainable' options highlighted as a sound investment in the recent Global Innovation Needs Assessment
ADVERTISEMENT
Investing in sustainable protein could yield myriad benefits for the economy and environment, according to a new report.
The ClimateWorks Foundation and Global Methane Hub’s Global Innovation Needs Assessment (GINA), which includes a series of policy recommendations for governments, specifically highlights plant-based protein and cultivated meat.
According to the report‘s authors, expanding the range of these foods could help slash methane emissions, create new jobs and grow the world economy.
In fact, they said the growth of these foods will be ‘key’ when it comes to reducing emissions of this climate change-causing gas from the global food system.
There are some barriers to the widespread adoption of these foods, according to the report’s authors.
They cited cost, affordability, and consumer acceptance, saying ‘we need cheaper and better alternatives, backed by strong and coherent financial and regulatory criteria’.
A wide variety of meats can be made by cellular agriculture, as demonstrated by this sushi-grade cultivated salmon. Photo © Wildtype
ADVERTISEMENT
The importance of plant-based protein and cultivated meat
The report has been welcomed by the Good Food Institute Europe, an international non-profit which works to advance both plant-based protein and lab-grown meat.
In a statement, the organisation’s senior science and technology manager, Seren Kell, said it was positive to see the importance of these foods being highlighted.
She added: “Plant-based and cultivated meat can cut CO2 as well as dangerous methane emissions and are essential to delivering the meat people want, without causing runaway climate breakdown.
“It’s great to see this report highlighting the need for governments around the world to invest in developing and scaling these foods, improving their quality and bringing costs down, making sure they’re available to everyone.”
Do you know the impact meat has on the environment? Check out the facts here, and find out how going vegan impacts the environment and our health
Featured photo © Higher Steaks and Tailored Brands
