UN Report Finds Meat Alternatives Have “Strong Potential for Reduced Environmental Impacts”

A report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) has found that meat alternatives, such as plant-based, cultivated, and fermented alternatives, have strong potential for reducing environmental impacts compared to conventional animal products. These alternatives could play a key role in creating more sustainable and animal-friendly food systems while also offering public health benefits, such as reducing the risk of pandemics and antibiotic resistance.

The report highlights the need for significant technological advancements to make meat alternatives more competitive in terms of taste and price and to make them more widely available. Some countries, such as Brazil, China, and the EU, have already invested in meat alternatives, with some governments providing incentives to alt meat producers. UNEP suggests that governments can further support the growth of meat alternatives by providing funding for research, developing streamlined regulatory frameworks, and potentially redirecting subsidies currently given to animal agriculture to support these new technologies.