Plant-based dietary shifts could reduce global mortality and greenhouse gas emissions
In short: Researchers using a global health and emissions model found that transitioning toward more plant-based diets could reduce global mortality by 6% to 10% by 2050. The study also observed that such dietary changes could cut food-related greenhouse gas emissions by 29% to 70% compared to a reference scenario.
The study coupled a region-specific health model with emissions accounting and economic valuation to quantify the linked consequences of dietary changes. While the largest absolute benefits for health and the environment occur in developing countries, high-income and middle-income nations see the greatest gains per capita.
The researchers estimated the economic benefits of these dietary improvements to be between 1 and 31 trillion US dollars. However, the study notes that achieving these dietary patterns would require significant changes to the global food system.
Why it matters: Shifting toward plant-based diets offers a dual benefit for human health and the climate, with massive potential economic value.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Research: Springmann et al. (2016). Analysis and valuation of the health and climate change cobenefits of dietary change. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.
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