Summary
This comparative modelling study couples a global region-specific health model based on dietary and weight-related risk factors with emissions accounting and economic valuation to quantify simultaneous health and climate benefits of dietary shifts away from animal-sourced foods. The analysis demonstrates substantial variation in impacts by region, with developing countries realising the largest absolute benefits whilst high-income developed countries show greatest per capita gains. The monetised health improvements are projected to be comparable with, or potentially exceed, the economic value of avoided climate damages.
UK applicability
As a developed high-income country, the United Kingdom would experience substantial per capita health and climate benefits from dietary shifts toward lower animal-sourced food consumption, though absolute environmental gains would be smaller than in developing nations. These findings support UK public health and climate policy interventions promoting plant-forward dietary patterns.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions avoided; premature mortality reduction; monetised value of health improvements; per capita and regional variation in health and environmental benefits
Outcomes reported
The study quantified linked health and environmental (climate) consequences of dietary changes toward lower animal-sourced food consumption across major world regions, using region-specific health modelling coupled with emissions accounting and economic valuation. Results showed that health and climate benefits increase with lower fractions of animal-sourced foods, with three-quarters of absolute benefits occurring in developing countries but greatest per capita impacts in developed countries.
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