Reducing the carbon footprint of fast food consumption by switching to plant-based options

It is well known that food production contributes to around a third of all human-made carbon emissions, making it a significant driver of climate change. What is less well known is that Australia's food industry produces more emissions per capita than any other Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) country.

Much of food production's emissions are caused by methane from cows and sheep, in addition to manure, fertiliser, farm machinery, food waste and other post-farm gate processes.

Fast food focus

Three-quarters of all Australians over the age of 14 say they eat fast food, or food from convenience stores, regularly. Australians also consume meat at one of the highest rates in the world.

Hence, this project looked specifically at the impact of meat-based fast food production in Australia. The Institute for Sustainable Futures (ISF) researchers reviewed and analysed 12 life-cycle assessment studies for various foods, including different types of meat and cheese.

The studies showed each food's emissions, water use and land use, which enabled the researchers to compare their environmental impact. What they found was that plant-based foods had a significantly lower impact than meat-based options.

Plant-based for the planet

The research found that the environmental impact of fast food could be greatly reduced if consumers opted for more plant-based menu items.

For example, a plant-based burger would produce only 10% of a beef burger's emissions. While a plant-based burger would produce only 40% of a chicken burger's emissions.

Going further, the research suggests that if takeaway restaurants across Australia swapped only 25% of their meaty menu items with plant-based versions, emissions would be reduced by 0.45 Mt CO2-e - equivalent to taking 150,000 cars off the road.

In addition to emissions reduction, a swap to plant-based fast food would save vast amounts of water and use far less land.

Research outputs

Shifting the Menu Reducing the carbon footprint of fast-food consumption by switching to plant-based options (2023) (Report)

MEDIA

New study giving Aussies a way to drive change at the drive-through – Eco Voice, February 2023