Changing food consumer choices may help cut greenhouse gases

Planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions associated with the global food system could be cut by up to 17% by 2030 if diets are changed across the world, according to a major new study.

The research, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, found that adopting healthier and more sustainable diets could reduce food-related emissions by up to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year.

This is equivalent to taking 700 million cars off the road or planting 1.3 billion hectares of forest.

The study is the most comprehensive assessment to date of the impact of food consumption on climate change.

It looked at the greenhouse gas emissions associated with the entire food supply chain, from production to consumption, for different products and population groups.

The results show that the largest emitters of greenhouse gases are meat and dairy products, followed by processed foods and sugary drinks.

The study also found that emissions from the food supply chain are concentrated in a few key regions, such as China, the United States, and the European Union.

The researchers said their findings suggest that changes in diet could make a significant contribution to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change.

They called on governments and policymakers to promote healthy and sustainable diets, and to invest in research and development to find new ways to reduce emissions from the food sector.