Developments in Europe
If 6 EU Supermarket Chains Switch 50% of Their Production to Plant-Based Protein, They Could Offset Emissions Equivalent to 25 Million Cars, December 5, 2023, Green Queen
According to a report prepared by Profundo, if the six leading retailers and catering companies switch to plant-based proteins at a rate of 50%, they could reduce annual greenhouse gas emissions by 31.6 million tons; this is equivalent to removing 25 million cars from the EU. The report also states that supermarket and food service operators around the world are seeing a 10% increase in sales of plant-based products.
By shifting 50% from meat to plant-based proteins, they can transform food system emissions, which account for one-third of all greenhouse gas emissions. If these companies—Ahold Delhaize (Netherlands), Carrefour (France), CP All (operator of all 7-Eleven stores in Thailand), Lidl (Germany), Tesco (UK), and Sodexo (France)—were to switch to alternative protein sources for 50% of their production, they could reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 31.6 million tons per year by 2030 using a combination of plant-based foods (such as tofu and legumes) and alternative meats (including mycoprotein and fermentation-derived proteins). which is equivalent to eliminating the greenhouse gas emissions of over 25 million cars.
Italian Government Bans Lab-Grown Meat, December 7, 2023, Food Navigator
The Italian Government recently announced that it will ban lab-grown meat production and restrict meat-related labels on plant-based meat alternatives. The decision has drawn criticism from some criticism from some quarters, but from Italy’s perspective, the decision stems from a desire to protect culinary traditions and key stakeholders such as farmers.
Draft Decree from Poland’s Ministry of Agriculture on Censorship of Plant-Based Meat Labeling, December 6, 2023, Vegconomist
The Polish Ministry of Agriculture has proposed a new draft decree aimed at changing current regulations on food labeling, specifically targeting the labeling of vegan meat alternatives and potentially affecting how these products are presented to consumers.
Developments from Around the World
First Health Report to Mention Diet Change, December 4, 2023, PoliticoPro
Over 120 countries have endorsed the UAE Climate and Health Declaration, which focuses on equipping health systems for a warmer world and strengthening research. The health declaration is the first to recognize the urgent need to transition to “sustainable healthy diets.”
We Haven’t Tasted the Most Delicious Vegan Burgers Yet, According to Scientists, December 6, 2023, VegNews
A new study published in the journal Plos One reveals that a specific enzyme can make vegan burgers juicier, tastier, and more digestible. Specifically, the protein-glutaminase enzyme is the key component in improving vegan burgers. Researchers—Kiyota Sakai from Amano Enzyme Inc. Innovation Center in Japan—point out that with the human population expected to reach 8.5 billion by 2030 and 10 billion by 2050, it will be difficult to maintain animal protein production at a level capable of meeting such a rapid increase in demand.
Two Studies Show You Need to Eat More Plants for Your Health and Our Planet, December 6, 2023, VegNews
In an era marked by environmental challenges and health crises, two recent studies have shed light on the profound impact of plant-based diets on both human health and the well-being of the planet. The research provides compelling evidence of the benefits of reducing meat consumption and incorporating more plant-based foods into our diets. The first study, published in Nature Communications, offers groundbreaking insights. By replacing half of meat products with plant-based alternatives, global agricultural pollution could be reduced by one-third by 2050 compared to 2020 levels. This significant reduction in pollution could halt deforestation and protect vital ecosystems, in addition to reducing land use.
New Research Finds Plant-Based Diets Reduce Risk of Alzheimer’s Disease, December 7, 2023, Vegconomist
The Journal of Alzheimer’s Disease published a detailed study on the role of diets in modifying the risk of Alzheimer’s disease (AD). The findings show that diets rich in vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and fruits reduce the chances of developing this dreaded neurodegenerative disorder.
According to the article, plant-based diets such as the Mediterranean diet and traditional diets in China, Japan, and India have been shown to reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s disease, unlike Western diets. Researchers also found that as these countries adopted Western-style eating habits, Alzheimer’s rates increased.
Dairy Giants Take First Steps in the Fight, December 8, 2023, Bloomberg
Six of the world’s largest dairy producers have pledged to disclose how much methane they emit as part of efforts to address the massive environmental footprint of livestock farming.
According to an announcement made by the Environmental Defense Fund at the COP28 climate summit this week, the Bel Group, Danone, General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Nestlé, and Lactalis have formed a group to commit to transparent accounting in their dairy supply chains. The advocacy group said each company has pledged to develop and implement a comprehensive methane action plan.
Agriculture emits about 40% of methane, a powerful gas with 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide. Much of this comes from livestock, either from their stomachs or through manure. While the focus has been on tackling issues such as leaks from oil wells in the energy sector, addressing this problem in agriculture has so far proven difficult. Data reporting is inadequate, and solutions are still largely in the development stage.
COP28: US-UAE Climate-Friendly Agriculture Efforts Rise to $17 Billion, December 8, 2023, Reuters
Funding for joint efforts by the US and the United Arab Emirates to advance climate-friendly agriculture worldwide has exceeded $17 billion, according to an announcement made at the COP28 climate summit in Dubai on Friday.
The Agricultural Innovation Mission for Climate (AIM for Climate) was launched at COP26 in Glasgow in 2021 and is funded by governments, companies, and civil society organizations. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, food and agriculture worldwide contribute to approximately one-third of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions.
Under the AIM for Climate initiative, around 80 projects have been announced since 2021 with the goals of expanding agricultural research, implementing sustainable agricultural practices, and reducing methane emissions.
Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack told Reuters during a break in the conference, “I think this has made people think very differently about food and agriculture.”
Batuhan İNANLAR Food Engineer BİTKİDEN
