The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC) urges the nation to halve meat and dairy consumption by 2050 to achieve net-zero emissions. The committee emphasizes dietary changes, methane reduction, and a shift to plant-based alternatives to meet climate goals. The CCC’s recommendations align with public support for environmentally-friendly dietary policies and serve as guidance ahead of the UK’s Seventh Carbon Budget and COP29 climate summit.
The UK’s Climate Change Committee (CCC), an independent advisory body on climate policy, is calling on the nation to cut meat and dairy consumption by up to 50% by 2050 to meet its ambitious net-zero emissions target. The recommendation comes as part of the CCC’s updated strategy to curb greenhouse gases, just months before the UK finalizes its Seventh Carbon Budget.
The CCC, established to provide expert guidance on emissions reductions, outlined in a letter to Energy Secretary Ed Miliband that reducing animal protein consumption is essential to lowering methane emissions, which have been stagnant since 2009 and contribute nearly half of the UK’s agricultural emissions. The proposed dietary shift aligns with the government’s net-zero objectives, reducing overall emissions by 81% from a 1990 baseline by 2025.
This recommendation surfaces as Labour’s new administration prepares for COP29, the UN’s annual climate summit, where climate plans and net-zero commitments will be a central focus. CCC chairman Piers Forster highlighted the urgency of achieving these goals, suggesting that reducing livestock numbers and promoting plant-based alternatives could facilitate meaningful reductions.
To support this transition, the CCC proposed several additional measures, including lower-carbon energy initiatives, easing restrictions on renewable installations, and removing barriers to alternative proteins. Advocacy groups, such as Greenpeace UK and the Plant-Based Food Alliance, have echoed calls for government policies to promote plant-based diets, aligning with public support for healthier, low-emission food options.
With 63% of Britons backing policies that encourage healthier, lower-emission diets, the CCC’s proposals highlight the growing momentum for systemic change in the UK’s food production and consumption practices.
