Experts Explore the Potential of Plant-Based and Cultured Meat for the Environment and Society

The world is facing a triple crisis of climate change, biodiversity loss, and public health threats. One of the major drivers of these crises is the current system of industrial animal agriculture, which produces and consumes large amounts of meat and other animal products.

This system has negative impacts on the environment, human health, and animal welfare, and is not sustainable in the long term.

However, changing this system is not easy, as it involves many stakeholders with different interests, values, and perspectives.

How can we ensure that the transition to a more sustainable and healthy food system is fair and just for all?

This is the question that a team of scientists addressed in a policy forum article published in CABI One Health.

The need for a just transition in animal agriculture

(Photo : JEFF PACHOUD/AFP via Getty Images)

The authors of the article argue that a just transition in animal agriculture is necessary for more effective and equitable One Health outcomes.

One Health is an approach that aims to sustainably balance and optimize the health of people, animals, and ecosystems.

The authors show how current levels of animal product production and consumption threaten One Health, by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions, land degradation, water scarcity, deforestation, pollution, antimicrobial resistance, zoonotic diseases, and animal suffering.

The authors also highlight that motivated by both environmental and public health concerns, policymakers in several countries are adopting regulatory and financial measures to address the overconsumption of animal products.

For example, some countries have introduced taxes on meat or subsidies for plant-based alternatives, while others have set targets or guidelines to reduce meat consumption or production.

These measures are clearly necessary and long overdue, but they also have social and economic implications for various groups of people and animals.

Therefore, the authors stress that it is crucial that these changes be planned carefully and inclusively to ensure a just transition.

A just transition is a process that respects the rights and interests of all affected stakeholders, especially those who are most vulnerable or marginalized, and that promotes social justice and equity.

A just transition also recognizes the diversity of contexts and cultures, and the need for context-specific solutions.

Also Read: Meat Production Results to Harmful Greenhouse Gases; Nearly 60% in Food Production

The principles for a just transition in animal agriculture

To help policymakers prepare for a just transition from high levels of industrial meat production and consumption, the authors present five guiding principles that are in line with the One Health approach. These principles are:

Phase down existing policies, programs, and fiscal support

Phasing downg anything that promotes industrial-scale meat production and high levels of consumption may help.

These include subsidies, tax breaks, trade agreements, research funding, or public procurement policies that favor the animal agriculture sector or create artificially low prices for animal products.

Increase support for alternatives to industrially produced meat

These include plant-based or cultured meat products that have lower environmental and health impacts, as well as more humane production methods.

These alternatives should be made accessible, affordable, acceptable, and attractive to consumers and producers.

Provide support to stakeholders to help offset the impacts of a transition

These include workers and communities of color who are disproportionately employed in low-wage and hazardous jobs in the animal agriculture sector; migrant and female workers who face discrimination and exploitation; smallholder farmers who depend on livestock for their livelihoods; informal and seasonal workers who lack social protection; and animals who suffer in intensive farming systems.

Ensure meaningful participation and representation of stakeholders in decision-making processes

This involves engaging with a wide range of actors, such as civil society organizations, consumer groups, indigenous peoples, youth movements, labor unions, animal welfare advocates, environmentalists, health professionals, academics, religious leaders, and media.

This also involves ensuring stakeholders access relevant information, education, training, and capacity-building opportunities.

Monitor and evaluate the impacts and outcomes of a transition

This involves collecting data on various indicators of environmental, health, social, economic, and animal welfare impacts; conducting regular assessments and reviews; ensuring transparency and accountability; addressing any unintended consequences or trade-offs; and adapting policies as needed.