A new survey from the Vegan Society has concluded that as many as one in three Brits think the government should promote vegan and plant-based diets to tackle the climate crisis.
It found that a huge number would back plans and policies that actively encourage people to cut back on their meat, dairy and egg consumption in order to help the government successfully achieve its climate objectives.
In December 2020, Prime Minister Boris Johnson announced ambitious new targets, setting the UK on the path to net zero by 2050 and leading the way in tackling climate change globally. The new plan aims for at least 68% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by the end of the decade, compared to 1990 levels.
The results come from a survey that the organisation did in conjunction with only survey platform Attest which asked 6,200 adults ‘what government officials should do about food and farming’ if the UK wants to be ‘on the path to net-zero by 2050 and lead the way in tackling climate change globally’.
60% said the government should ensure that at least one plant-based, healthy meal was available on every public sector menu, while 51% wanted the government to offer plant-milk to children under government-funded public health schemes.
The respondents also acknowledged that the transition to a society that ate predmonantly vegan food would impact the farming community. Over 55% felt farmers should be given financial incentives to shift to high protein crops, such as beans, nuts, and seeds. A similar percentage 53% suggested it would be fair to help farmers to transition out of animal farming
“We believe this data is hugely positive for the vegan movement,” Louisianna Waring, Insight and Commercial Policy Officer, at The Vegan Society said.
“It is fantastic to see that 1 in 3 people in the UK are listening to the science on the impact of dietary choices.”
“Many of the climate solutions on offer can only be achieved if implemented together and promoting plant-based diets is one solution that unlocks several others including reduced deforestation and less water and land use.”
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