The effects of climate change are now well known and evident. As a result, more and more people are becoming aware of the need to take action, not only at a global scale but also individually. This usually means recycling, opting for second-hand products, travelling by public transport, buying local products, and adopting a more sustainable diet. A 2023 study from Tulane University in New Orleans analyzed the carbon footprint of the six most common diets. The six diets analyzed were: vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pescatarian, keto, paleo, and omnivore.
Click on to discover how these diets ranked.
Our diet, including everything involved in producing, processing, and transporting our food, generates more than a third of the planet's total greenhouse gas emissions. Food-related emissions can be divided into the following four categories.
Those generated by the consumption of energy to produce, process, package, and transport food.
Emissions related to the treatment of waste and surpluses.
Industrial emissions result from the production of various chemical compounds, such as plastics for packaging, preservatives, fertilizers, and insecticides. Now, let's take a look at the six diets analyzed for their carbon footprints.
According to the study, the vegan diet has the smallest carbon footprint. It generates 1.52 pounds (0.69 kg) of CO2eq/1000 Kcal.
This makes sense as animal-derived foods account for 82% of the carbon footprint.
This means, replacing animal-derived foods with plant-based sources of protein and fat, such as legumes, nuts, and seeds would dramatically reduce the environmental impact of our diets.
In fact, it has been estimated that if animal-based foods were eliminated and replaced with plant-based foods, diet-related emissions would be reduced by more than 73%.
The diet with the second-smallest carbon footprint is the lacto-ovo vegetarian diet. It generates 2.55 pounds (1.16 kg) of CO2eq/1000 Kcal.
Unlike the vegan diet, it allows the consumption of eggs, milk, and their derivatives, which explains its greater impact.
The dairy sector alone is responsible for 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Nevertheless, a lacto-ovo vegetarian diet is still a carbon-friendly choice.
The pescetarian diet, characterized by predominantly plant-based foods with fish and seafood, is the third least polluting diet. It generates 3.65 pounds (1.66 kg) of CO2eq/1000 Kcal.
Compared to other animal-derived food, such as pigs and poultry, seafood has a lower carbon impact. This is especially true if you choose to eat shellfish and small fish such as anchovies and sardines.
Other fish and seafood, caught by local rather than deep-sea fishermen, avoid emissions from transportation and from preserving the catch during the journey.
However, aquaculture fish, such as salmon and gilt-head bream, or farmed crustaceans, require feed in the form of food pellets and oil. Therefore, they release more waste and emissions into the environment.
The omnivore diet includes both plant and animal foods. Generating 4.91 pounds (2.23 kg) of CO2eq/1000 Kcal, the omnivore diet has the third-largest carbon footprint.
The study found that 86% of the US population adheres to an omnivore diet.
Eliminating meat consumption one day a week would reduce this amount to 3,527 pounds (1,600 kg).
The paleo diet has the second-highest climate impact because it's characterized by a high consumption of land-based meat.
The paleo diet generates 5.77 pounds (2.62 kg) of CO2eq/1000 Kcal.
Preferring lean meats and fish, the paleo diet restricts the intake of many plant-based products. This diet also excludes cereals, legumes, dairy products, sugary vegetables, and all types of processed foods.
In addition to land-based meats and fish, the paleo diet allows the consumption of nuts, fruits, seeds, and some vegetables.
The keto diet generates the largest carbon footprint due to its high protein and fat intake and very low carbohydrate consumption. And these proteins are mainly of animal origin.
In fact, the keto diet generates 6.41 pounds (2.91 kg) of CO2-eq/1000 Kcal. That's more than four times worse than a vegan diet.
Foods derived from land animals are by far the largest contributors to the carbon footprint of our diets. When we eat plant products, we are primary consumers. However, when we eat animal products, we are secondary consumers.
This means there's an intermediate stage, and all the carbon-emitting processes are duplicated.
Sources: (Euronews) (OpenMind)
It has also been estimated that producing the amount of meat consumed annually by a US citizen generates more than 4,409 pounds (2,000 kg) of greenhouse gases per year.
The diets with the biggest and smallest carbon footprints
From vegan to omnivore, find out how your diet impacts the environment
FOOD Environment
The effects of climate change are now well-known and evident. As a result, more and more people are becoming aware of the need to take action, not only at a global scale but also individually. This usually means recycling, opting for second-hand products, traveling by public transport, buying local products, and adopting a more sustainable diet.
A 2023 study from Tulane University in New Orleans analyzed the carbon footprint of the six most common diets. The six diets analyzed were: vegan, lacto-ovo vegetarian, pescatarian, keto, paleo, and omnivore.
Click on to discover how these diets ranked.