Summary
This meta-review, published in Global Food Security, synthesises evidence from existing reviews and meta-analyses to provide a consolidated assessment of the environmental impacts associated with food production and consumption. It likely identifies animal-sourced foods, particularly beef and dairy, as carrying disproportionately high environmental burdens relative to plant-based foods across multiple impact categories. The paper serves as a high-level reference for researchers and policymakers seeking an overview of the evidence base on food-environment relationships.
UK applicability
Although the scope is global, the findings are broadly applicable to UK food policy, particularly in the context of the National Food Strategy, net-zero agricultural targets, and Defra's work on sustainable diets. UK-specific production efficiencies and land-use contexts may moderate some conclusions, but the directional findings on food type and environmental burden remain relevant.
Key measures
Greenhouse gas emissions (kg CO2-eq per kg food); land use (m² per kg food); water use (litres per kg food); biodiversity impact; eutrophication potential
Outcomes reported
The study synthesised findings from multiple review papers and meta-analyses to compare the environmental impacts of different foods and dietary patterns across indicators such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water use, and biodiversity pressure. It aimed to identify which food commodities and production systems contribute most to environmental burdens.
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