Eating better step 2 – stop eating beef

Why should I stop eating beef?

Cutting out beef (and dairy) is the most effective way to reduce your environmental impact, according to Oxford University research into the environmental impact of farming.^[1]

Poore and Nemecek of the University of Oxford compared the greenhouse gas emissions caused by farming and processing animal products with those of substitute vegetable-based proteins, like peas and soy. But they didn’t just look at one study. This was a meta-study, meaning they analysed the data from multiple studies in order to overcome any bias and understand the overall trend. They analysed 570 consistent and high-quality studies, covering approximately 38,700 commercially viable farms across 119 countries, and 40 food products, representing about 90% of the global protein and calorie intake.

So how bad is beef for the environment?

The study’s results show that the production of just 100g of beef protein (about half a steak, or a portion of chilli) causes an average of 50kg (110 lbs) of greenhouse gases to be produced. The worst producers caused a staggering 105kg (231 lbs) of greenhouse gases to be produced. In comparison, lamb causes 20kg of greenhouse gases per 100g produced.

However, the production of plant-based protein has significantly less impact on the environment. For example, tofu causes just 2kg (just under 4¹/₂lb) of greenhouse gases per 100g, and peas just 0.4kg (less than 1 lb) per 100g.^[2]

What can I replace meat with?

Try going meat-free a few times a week so you can learn how to use other ingredients like lentils, mushrooms, tofu, Quorn or vegan textured vegetable protein alternatives, then cut out beef altogether.

Cutting out beef could also save you money because vegetables are generally cheaper than good-quality meat.

You’re allowed to fail sometimes! Don’t give up – all progress is good.

Next:
Step 3: cut out dairy & eggs

Previous:
Step 1: go meat-free a few times a week

_{[1] Avoiding meat and dairy is ‘single biggest way’ to reduce your impact on Earth, The Guardian. Guardian News and Media. Available at: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/may/31/avoiding-meat-and-dairy-is-single-biggest-way-to-reduce-your-impact-on-earth (Accessed: February 20, 2023).}

_{[2] Poore, J. and Nemecek, T. (2018). Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumers. Science, 360(6392), pp.987-992. Fig. 1.}

_{Photo credit: Kate Spencer}