Meeting Paris Agreement ‘Impossible’ Unless Meat Production Is Reduced, Says Expert

Meeting the Paris Climate Agreement is ‘impossible’ unless meat production is reduced, according to a food expert.

Bruce Friedrich is the Executive Director of The Good Food Institute (GFI). The non-profit ties its work of ‘reimagining protein’ to the world’s climate goals.

Currently, countries under the Paris Agreement are obliged to limit global warming to ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius. But, Friedrich says conventional meat production is hindering our chances.

‘Climate-friendly ways of making meat’

“It will be impossible for any government to meet their obligations under the Paris Climate Agreement unless conventional meat production goes down.”

Bruce Friedrich, GFI’s Executive Director

In a statement sent to PBN, he said: “Every year going forward has a lot riding on it in terms of the world’s ability to shift to more efficient, climate-friendly ways of making meat. 

“To succeed, governments need to fund open-access R&D. We know [this] will not only spur innovation and new markets, but also reap massive public benefits — from cleaner air, water, and soil to a more secure and sustainable global food system. This needs to happen. And fast.” 

‘Creating meat from plants’

Moreover, GFI Chief of Staff Sanah Baig added: “As we dive into this new decade — the ten crucial years in which to achieve the U.N. Sustainable Development Goals — we have the opportunity and the obligation to meet global challenges with global solutions. 

“Creating meat from plants and cultivating it directly from cells are solutions within our grasp, but it will take massive public and private sector investment to get us there.”

The Paris Agreement

The Paris Agreement is a legally binding international treaty on climate change. Its goal is to limit global warming to ideally 1.5 degrees Celsius, compared to pre-industrial levels. 

Countries aim to reach global peaking of greenhouse gas emissions as soon as possible to achieve a climate-neutral world.

However, in 2017, Donald Trump controversially decided to leave the Paris climate accord in 2017. Hours after being sworn in as President, Joe Biden and his administration signed legislation for the US to re-enter the Paris Agreement. This follows a 30-day notice period.

GFI celebrates its 5th anniversary with the launch of its newly reconstituted brand and website