PRESS RELEASE FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Thursday 21 October 2021

With the Vegetarian Society calling for a 50% reduction in meat consumption by 2030, their Chief Executive has today written an open letter to the Prime Minister seeking to understand why the issue of diet and animal agriculture appears to have been deliberately omitted from the government’s Net Zero Strategy.

Commenting on this perceived failure, Richard McIlwain said: “Given that 15% of global carbon dioxide emissions come from animal agriculture, and that the government’s own National Food Strategy suggests a 30% reduction in meat consumption by 2030 in order to hit climate targets, it is difficult to understand why this issue has not been made a central plank of the strategy.

“This is a critical decade for the future of the planet. If we are to meet the targets necessary to tackle climate change, diet needs to form part of the government’s strategy. Choosing more plant-based meals over meat is one of the quickest and easiest ways anyone can reduce their carbon footprint, and collectively as a nation that would create a huge impact.”

The case set out by the Vegetarian Society is reflected in numerous papers, including in a report commissioned by the government’s Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. In this document it highlights that shifting dietary habits towards more environmental dietary options such as plant-based is fundamental to achieving Net Zero goals.

Ends

Notes to editors:

The Vegetarian Society supports the Eating Better Alliance’s call for a 50% reduction in meat consumption in the UK by 2030.

For media enquiries please contact Su Taylor at the Vegetarian Society at press@vegsoc.org

Richard McIlwain is available for interviews or comments. Please call Su on 07973 108165 or John on 07973 108167.