India one of the highest contributors to global dietary emissions: Study

A recent study published in the journal Nature Climate Change has found that India is one of the largest contributors to global dietary emissions apart from China as the two most populous countries of the world. According to the study, led by researchers Yanxian Li, Pan He, Yuli Shan, and colleagues, India contributes 8.9% after China at 13.5% of global dietary emissions. The study also showed that the major source of dietary emission for India seems to be from dairy products followed by grains. ‘A decline in grains would result in 914 MtCO2e of emission reduction, of which 56% would happen in Asia,’ the study mentioned. 

The study highlighted the fact that the global food system is a significant contributor to climate change, responsible for approximately one-third of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. This comes at a time when the world is grappling with the challenge of feeding a growing population while mitigating climate change. The researchers explored the potential of global diet shifts to reduce the climate impacts of food consumption through a comprehensive analysis of dietary emissions across 139 countries and examined the potential benefits of adopting the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet.

The study found that animal-based and plant-based products contribute almost equally to global dietary emissions (52% and 48% respectively), even though plant-based foods provide 87% of the calories in global diets. Red meat, grains, and dairy are the top three contributors to these emissions, despite red meat and dairy making up only 5% of global caloric intake each. Red meat accounts for 29% of emissions, grains 21%, and dairy 19%. The high emissions from red meat and dairy are due to their significantly greater emissions per calorie compared to other food categories.

Unequal distribution of dietary emissions

The study highlights the unequal distribution of dietary emissions both within and between countries. It found that wealthier populations, particularly in high-income countries, tend to have higher dietary emissions due to greater consumption of red meat and dairy products. These two food categories, while contributing only 10% of global calories, account for nearly half of global dietary emissions. Conversely, in lower-income countries, where plant-based diets are more prevalent, dietary emissions are generally lower.

For instance, in regions like Australia, the United States, and parts of East Asia, animal-based products contribute a significant portion of dietary emissions despite being less than a quarter of the caloric intake. In contrast, regions such as Southeast Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa, where plant-based foods dominate, still see substantial emissions, particularly from staple foods like grains and tubers.

One of the authors of the study, Dr Yuli Shan, from the University of Birmingham, said: “Compared to plant-based products, animal-based products show greater potential for reducing emissions. We should look to reduce over-consumption of emission-intensive products in affluent countries, such as beef in Australia and the US especially for wealthy consumer groups who are overconsuming, which would help to achieve significant health and climate benefits.”

The Potential of Diet Shifts

The study further explores the potential impact of global diet shifts, specifically towards the EAT-Lancet planetary health diet, which emphasizes a reduction in red meat consumption in favor of plant-based proteins like legumes and nuts. If adopted globally, this diet could reduce annual dietary emissions by 17%, primarily by decreasing the consumption of high-emission animal-based products.

Moreover, the study points out that more than half of the global population is currently overconsuming food, particularly in terms of red meat and dairy. A shift towards the planetary health diet among these populations could lead to a 32.4% reduction in global emissions, significantly offsetting the increase in emissions that would result from undernourished populations moving towards healthier diets.

Regional Disparities and Inequality

The research also reveals significant disparities in dietary emissions within countries, with higher-income individuals typically responsible for greater emissions. This inequality is most pronounced in low-income countries, where the wealthiest 10% of the population can account for a disproportionate share of dietary emissions. For example, in Sub-Saharan Africa, the highest-spending 10% contributes 40% of the region’s emissions from red meat alone.

Interestingly, the study found that dietary emission inequality tends to decrease as countries’ per capita GDP increases. High-income countries like those in Western Europe show relatively low inequality in dietary emissions, despite high overall emissions levels. This suggests that as countries develop economically, dietary patterns may become more uniform, leading to more equitable distributions of dietary emissions.

Another author of the study, Prof. Klaus Hubacek from the University of Groningen, stated “Low-income countries face greater challenges in reaching healthier diets, with more than 1.5 billion low-income populations worldwide unable to afford the cost of the planetary health diet. Diet shifts need increased food consumption, but Sub-Saharan Africa, as well as South and Southeast Asia, have experienced stagnating agriculture production efficiency for decades and cannot produce nor afford to import the required food.”

“Agricultural efficiency must increase through various measures such as crop and soil management techniques and introduction of high-yielding crop varieties. But the proportions of nutrient-rich products in food imports must increase — alongside a reduction in restrictive trade policies which tend to raise food prices,” Hubacek added. 

Implications for Policy and Practice

The findings of this study have significant implications for global efforts to mitigate climate change. By adopting more sustainable diets, particularly in high-income countries and among wealthier populations, substantial reductions in global GHG emissions can be achieved. This approach not only supports climate goals but also aligns with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals, including those related to health and hunger.

Policy interventions could focus on promoting plant-based diets and reducing the affordability and availability of high-emission foods like red meat and dairy. Additionally, addressing food waste and improving food production efficiency are crucial steps towards reducing the overall climate impact of the global food system.

In conclusion, while the challenges of transforming the global food system are immense, the potential benefits are equally significant. Shifting towards healthier, more sustainable diets could play a pivotal role in reducing global GHG emissions, ensuring food security, and promoting better health outcomes worldwide.

The primary author of the study, Yanxian Li, from the University of Groningen added, “The objective of the diet shift scenario is to assess the potential implications of emission mitigation of the food system resulting from changing consumer choices instead of forcing everyone to adopt the same diet.”

References:

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41558-024-02084-1#MOESM1

The Planetary Health Diet

https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2024/08/240813132022.htm

Images:

Banner: Photo by Lior Shapira on Unsplash