Red meat, milk… Include the impact on the climate in the price. The World Bank struck

The World Bank has joined the fight against climate change, declaring that less red meat and dairy should be produced and instead invest in poultry, fruit and vegetables. “We need to stop destroying the planet with our eating habits,” said one senior World Bank official. According to her, states pay little attention to the agricultural and food sector in their green efforts, which is responsible for 20% of emissions.

Photo:

Hans Štembera

Description: Butchery, illustration photo

In a new paper, the international financial institution proposes that the billions spent by rich countries to promote CO2-intensive products such as red meat and dairy products be replaced by more climate-friendly options such as poultry, fruit and vegetables. According to the World Bank, it is one of the most cost-effective ways to save the planet in the fight against climate change.

“We must stop destroying the planet with our eating habits,” Julian Lampietti told POLITICOthe World Bank’s Global Engagement Manager for Agriculture and Food.

The document comes at a diplomatically strategic moment as countries signatories to the Paris Agreement – a global pact calling for limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius – prepare to update their climate plans by the end of 2025.

As the world must accelerate emissions reductions to keep the goals of the Paris Agreement alive, the World Bank wants countries to pay more attention to agriculture and food, which the bank says has long been neglected and underfunded. According to the report, countries need to pour $260 billion into these sectors every year in order to reach a zero-emissions economy by 2050. That’s eighteen times more than countries currently invest.

Photogallery: – Universities for the climate

According to the World Bank, governments can partly find this finance by reorienting red meat and dairy subsidies towards low-carbon alternatives. “This transition is one of the most cost-effective ways for rich countries, which are estimated to produce around 20% of global emissions from the agri-food sector, to reduce demand for highly polluting foods,” the bank says.

According to the World Bank, this would essentially be the calculation of the impact of the climate in the cost of food. “Setting a full price for animal-based foods that reflects their true planetary costs would increase the competitiveness of low-emission foods,” the report says, stressing that switching to a plant-based diet could halve emissions from agriculture and food production. The demand for meat and dairy products accounts for up to 60% of emissions from the agricultural and food sector.

Lampietti cautioned against society focusing too much on “what shouldn’t be done” and urged more attention to “what should be done.” He added that food choices are a “personal choice” for each individual and we can all contribute to the fight against climate change.

Czech citizens have already found out that banks have an effort to educate society. For example, in 2021, Komerční banka tried to convince them that instead of carp, you can eat other meat for Christmas and that wrapping gifts in ordinary wrapping paper will help make the holidays more sustainable.

But that was only the first wave in the educational practices of Komerční banka. She now “inspires” people on her website to reduce meat consumption, buy a bamboo toothbrush, carry vegetables in cloth bags, use ordinary soap instead of shower gel or use a list of stores that are sustainable.

People are also supposed to grow their own vegetables, compost and not waste. “It only takes a little to make a change – a shopping list, proper storage and cooking from leftovers can help,” advises Komerční banka. Another piece of advice also applies to cooking: “Try to reduce meat consumption.” At least by a few servings. In particular, the production of red meat is ecologically very demanding. Limiting its consumption can thus have a significant impact on reducing your carbon footprint.” In addition, people are also supposed to sort waste, but also to repair things, and when things are no longer useful, they need to be sold or donated so that unnecessary waste is not created.

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