A study commissioned by environmental group Madre Brava has indicated that significant environmental benefits can be achieved if retailers accelerate their switch from meat to plant-based proteins.
The study focused on Carrefour, Lidl, Ahold Delhaize, Tesco, CP All, and Sodexo, claiming that if these operators were to transition 50% of their meat products to plant-based alternatives by the year 2030, it could lead to a substantial reduction in greenhouse gas emissions – an amount equivalent to removing more than 25 million cars from the roads of the European Union.
The study, which was conducted by research consultancy Profundo, suggests that such a shift could result in an annual reduction of 31.6 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions.
In light of these findings, Madre Brava is urging these major food retailers to commit to a goal of achieving a protein portfolio consisting of at least 50% plant proteins by the year 2030. This call to action is specifically directed at the upcoming COP28, emphasising the urgency of addressing the climate emergency.
‘An outsized impact’
“Just six food retailers can have an outsized impact on the climate, nature, water and their own bottom line by shifting to 50% plant proteins by 2030,” said Nico Muzi, managing director of Madre Brava.
“While some of these supermarkets have already set modest targets to increase the share of plant proteins in their overall protein sales, we need more ambition and more leaders to tackle the climate emergency. Thus, we urge leading food retailers Ahold Delhaize, Carrefour, CP All, Lidl, Sodexo and Tesco to commit at COP28 to achieve a protein portfolio with at least 50% plant proteins by 2030.”
The study also points out that transitioning to plant-based proteins could free up a significant amount of land, equivalent to the size of Hungary. Additionally, this shift could save a substantial amount of water – approximately 670 million cubic meters annually, a volume comparable to 268,000 Olympic-size swimming pools.
Plant-based preferences
In response to evolving consumer preferences, many European food retailers are already setting goals to increase the proportion of plant-based proteins in their product offerings.
A recent European consumer poll conducted by the University of Copenhagen, Ghent University, and ProVeg revealed a notable trend: over half of Europeans reported consuming less meat, up from 46% in the previous year. The primary factor influencing this dietary shift is health, as more consumers opt for a flexitarian diet.
