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Pace of adoption of alternatives to animal-source foods is an important factor in reaching climate goals

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  • Hale, Galina
  • Oncescu, Vlad
  • Bhangale, Ritesh

Abstract

The global food system is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions that drive climate change. Animal agriculture accounts for a large share of food-system emissions, both directly and through the production of animal feed. Global population growth and rising incomes imply a further increase in demand for animal-source foods if current trends persist. Limiting global warming to the targets set by the international community will not be possible without the rapid reduction of a substantial share of animal-source foods. We show that the rapid adoption of alternatives to animal-source foods, such as plant-only diets or plant-based, cultured, or fermentation-derived analogs to animal products, can be consistent with climate goals while satisfying global demand for calories and protein. Importantly, timing is crucial: the longer the delay in adopting alternatives, the larger the share of the diet that must shift away from animal-source food by 2050 for the food system to remain within its carbon budget.

Suggested Citation

  • Hale, Galina & Oncescu, Vlad & Bhangale, Ritesh, 2025. "Pace of adoption of alternatives to animal-source foods is an important factor in reaching climate goals," Santa Cruz Department of Economics, Working Paper Series qt7kd4z8ds, Department of Economics, UC Santa Cruz.
    • Handle: RePEc:cdl:ucscec:qt7kd4z8ds
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