What to eat Food and the environment

Facts and figures about what we eat

14.5%

of global climate changing gases are due to meat and dairy production (more than all forms of transport)

50%

of habitable land around the world is used to produce food

45,000

early deaths could be prevented in the UK every year if we ate low meat diets

£42.43

is the average weekly food spend per person in the UK

Over 10 m

tonnes of food is wasted in the UK annually

8 bn

animals are killed for meat every year in the UK

How does the food we eat affect our environment?

From growing crops to processing, transporting, selling, storing and throwing away food – everything we eat has an impact on the environment and the climate.

In the UK, agriculture is responsible for 10% of greenhouse gas emissions, 83% of ammonia air pollution, and 16% of water pollution. More intensive forms of farming are the leading cause of harm to UK farmland wildlife.

Find out more

Get the latest environmental news

How to cut the environmental impact of your food

Three sustainably raised cows grazing in an extensive pasture field

Choose less and better meat

We all need to eat less meat to tackle climate change, and produce it in ways that don't harm our environment.

Choose less and better meat

We all need to eat less meat to tackle climate change, and produce it in ways that don't harm our environment.

Halve food waste

Wasted food has a huge environmental impact. We need everyone to work together to halve food waste from farm to fork by 2030.

Halve food waste

Wasted food has a huge environmental impact. We need everyone to work together to halve food waste from farm to fork by 2030.

Carrots and courgettes in a fruit and vegetable market

Support local and seasonal food that's free from pesticides with an organic Abel & Cole food box.

Ploughed field awaiting crop planting, under bright blue sky

Support great farmers

Great farming practices improve soils, prevent water pollution, increase biodiversity and cut emissions - not to mention making tastier food.

Support great farmers

Great farming practices improve soils, prevent water pollution, increase biodiversity and cut emissions - not to mention making tastier food.

Buy bee-friendly food

Bees are great - and they pollinate over 75% of what we eat. Make sure the food you're buying isn't covered in nasty bee-harming pesticides.

Buy bee-friendly food

Bees are great - and they pollinate over 75% of what we eat. Make sure the food you're buying isn't covered in nasty bee-harming pesticides.

Get inspired: great low-meat recipes

Good food should be tasty, healthy and great for the environment.

We've put together loads of recipes and tips to help you eat better.

Whether you're wanting a less and better meat diet or looking for some new meat- and dairy-free inspiration, we're here to help you cook amazing dishes that won't cost the earth.

Try our protein-packed recipes

Rhubarb vegetarian curry with Indian flatbread

What's the problem with eating meat?

All aspects of food production contribute to climate changing emissions.

But agriculture – and specifically meat and dairy farming – has the greatest impact.

In the UK 10% of all greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture. Some 6-7% come directly from raising animals for us to eat.

Read our policy paper on sustainable diets [PDF].

What is better meat?

Better meat, fish and dairy are:

Better for the environment
Better for animal welfare
Better for your health

So what is the best kind to buy if you want to eat more sustainably? A great first step is simply to steer clear of meat and dairy from high-intensity factory farms, buy local and check for sustainability labelling (that means things like organic, pasture for life or RSPCA assured on meat, and MSC or ASC on fish).

Find out more

6 reasons to eat less meat

Pile of antibiotics meant for use by sick humans, not healthy livestock

...*Really* good for you

Antibiotics in factory-farmed animal feed is helping to breed antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

...*Really* good for you

Antibiotics in factory-farmed animal feed is helping to breed antibiotic-resistant superbugs.

Vegan apple and fig pie made with vegetarian suet pastry with a few apples scattered around

It's easy as pie

Eating less meat is easy – and tasty too. Check out these low-meat recipes from chef Jack Monroe.

It's easy as pie

Eating less meat is easy – and tasty too. Check out these low-meat recipes from chef Jack Monroe.

Front cover of the Meat Atlas, showing a globe created from meat on a plate, alongside a knife and fork

And... it's good for wildlife and forests

Cattle, pigs and chicken are behind most of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest [PDF].

And... it's good for wildlife and forests

Cattle, pigs and chicken are behind most of the destruction of the Amazon rainforest [PDF].

Did we mention the planet?

Livestock production causes 14.5% of climate changing gases. And it uses loads of fresh water.

Did we mention the planet?

Livestock production causes 14.5% of climate changing gases. And it uses loads of fresh water.

a field full of corn - much corn is used to feed animals, not people

And we'll have more food to go around

Producing less meat would mean more land to grow crops to feed people. 75% of all farmland is used to feed animals.

And we'll have more food to go around

Producing less meat would mean more land to grow crops to feed people. 75% of all farmland is used to feed animals.

Eat better on a budget

You might think it's hard to find cheap, nutritious alternatives to tried and tested favourites. But eating healthily and sustainably can actually save you money.

Many more sustainable foods, including beans and pulses, are much cheaper than their meat alternatives. So when or if you do eat meat, you’ll be able to enjoy better quality, better tasting and more sustainable options too.

Great low-meat recipes

How can the government help us eat better?

The government needs to promote the benefits of eating less and better meat.

It should ensure that meals paid for by taxpayers – in places like schools, hospitals and care homes – use less but better meat and dairy.

And that it supports farmers to grow more plant-based protein, while removing subsidies that promote intensive meat production.

Also, it must end the harmful overuse of antibiotics in farming to ensure they remain effective in protecting human and livestock health.

Policy recommendations

How can the food industry help us eat better?

Businesses dealing in food need to make it easier for us to eat better. They should:

Increase the range of low- and no-meat products.
Ensure that food isn't wasted anywhere along the supply chain.
Introduce labelling for grass-fed meat and dairy products.
Talk to customers about the benefits of reducing meat and dairy in their diets.

Some businesses are already making exciting changes to support everyone to eat less and better meat, cut the amount of food they waste and develop new meat-free options - but there is a lot more to do.

Organic bell peppers in yellow, orange and red.

Eating better together: Who we work with

We're a founding member of Eating Better, an alliance of organisations working together to help everyone to eat less meat and dairy, and more food that’s better for our health and the planet.

A wide range of organisations are part of the alliance, with backgrounds in health, the environment, consumer affairs, social justice and animal welfare.

Friends of the Earth also supports the work of the Pesticides Action Network, GM Freeze and Sustain: The Alliance for Food and Farming.

Visit Eating Better