The French research company OpinionWay he led survey on meat consumption on behalf of the Good Food Institute (GFI), interviewing more than 4.000 adults in France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Participants provided information on their consumption, purchasing habits and motivations and expressed their opinion on plant-based meat substitutes.
The striking responses show that almost 60% of respondents (57% on average) have reduced their consumption of meat in the last five years.
Furthermore, an average of 23% of the respondents stopped eating them.
What is cutting down on meat consumption?
Environmental concerns, animal welfare and health are the most cited reasons for Europeans to cut back on meat consumption.
Germany has prioritized animal welfare: the 38% of participants stated that this is the motivation for them to become more vegetarians. A figure in line with the premises: 41% of Germans also eat vegan alternatives every month.
Both Italy and Spain put personal health at the top of the list of reasons to eat less meat. 50% of Italian consumers and 47% of Spanish consumers choose vegetable proteins every month.
The French (39%) seem the most concerned about the cost of animal meat. Only one in four French consumers (27%) consumes vegan substitutes every month.
Apart from the different reasons, they all presented a constant undercurrent: environmental protection.
How meat contributes to the climate crisis
Increasingly intensive farming is among the key factors in the climate emergency. The largest cause of deforestation globally is meat production. Hectares and hectares of forests felled or burned to make way for pastures or the cultivation of plants intended for animal consumption.
Fewer trees equals less carbon. And therefore more emissions.
The breeding of animals for the production of meat and dairy products it is responsible for at least 14,5% of all human-created greenhouse gas emissions. Meat, specifically, is responsible for nearly 60% of all greenhouse gas emissions from food production.
The most sensitive to the problem? The Italians, with over 75% of those interviewed that it is hoped to reduce the consumption of meat.
Cultured meat: a possible compromise?
Far be it from me to have the idea of feasting on insects (it's stronger than me, I doubt I can do it), I believe the cultured meat an option that respects the climate, animals and also consumers.
I have been talking about it for some time with editorials, news, interviews with activists and professionals: if on a regulatory level only Singapore has already approved its use (it will arrive in Europe in mid-2024), on a practical level the real key is public opinion.
And this, at least in Europe, is still fragmented. Over 50% of respondents have already heard of it, but not everyone knows what the consumption of cultured meat is. At the two extremes, Spain (68% of participants are in favor) and France (just 38%).
