Dr Rajendra Pachauri, chair of the United Nations Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, told the Observer newspaper that reducing one’s consumption of meat is one of the most effective ways for individuals to help tackle climate change.
According to estimates from the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation, meat production accounts for almost 20 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
“In terms of immediacy of action and the feasibility of bringing about reductions in a short period of time, it clearly is the most attractive opportunity,” Mr Pachauri told the Observer. “Give up meat for one day `per week` initially, and decrease it from there.”
Animal welfare group Compassion in World Farming has estimated that if the average household in the UK were to cut its meat consumption in half, emissions would be reduced by more than if car use were halved.
However, some believe the meat industry is being unfairly targeted. They argue that vegetarian diets that consist of large amounts of milk, butter and cheese are nearly as bad since dairy cows are a major methane producer.
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