Cut meat consumption to two burgers a week to save the planet, study finds

Meat consumption would have to be reduced to the equivalent of about two hamburgers a week in the developed world, and public transport would expand about six times faster than its current rate, if the world wants to avoid the worst ravages of the climate crisis, research suggests.

Deforestation rates must also be rapidly reduced, and coal phase-out must occur about six times faster than what is currently managed. Heavy industries such as cement and steel are not reacting quickly enough to reduce their emissions, and the rapid growth in the adoption of renewable energy and electric vehicles must be maintained.

The State of the Climate Action 2022 report examined global progress on 40 indicators that would be key to halving global greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, in line with the goal of limiting climate change. Temperatures rise to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The researchers painted a gloomy picture, with just over half of the indicators far from the on the right track and five going in the wrong direction.

The most concerning indicators were the use of gas, which is increasing rapidly at a time when it should be reduced in favor of energies renewable; steelmaking, where emission reduction technology is not being adopted quickly enough; journeys made by private cars; the rate of loss of mangrove forests; and emissions from agriculture.

Ani Dasgupta, the director general of the World Resources Institute, one of the organizations responsible for the report, highlighted the extreme weather conditions observed in the world this year.

"The world has seen the devastation wrought by just 1.1C of warming. Every fraction of a degree matters in the fight to protect people and society. planet. We are seeing significant progress in the fight against climate change, but we are still not winning in any sector,” he said.

Bill Hare, Director General of Climate Analytics, who also helped compile the report, warning of the growing use of gas for electricity generation around the world.

“What is particularly worrying is the increase in fossil gas power generation despite the availability there are cheaper and healthier alternatives,” he said. "The current crisis resulting from shocks such as the pandemic and Russia's invasion of Ukraine has shown very clearly how continued reliance on fossil fuels is not only bad for the climate, but also comes with serious security and economic risks."

The report from the Systems Change Lab, a coalition of analyst organizations and charitable foundations, identified some bright spots. Solar power generation increased by nearly half between 2019 and 2021, while electric vehicles accounted for nearly one in 10 passenger cars sold in 2021, double the previous year.

The analysis concluded that much greater investment was needed to bring the global economy down to a low carbon base: around $460 billion a year for the next decade of additional funds would be needed, and governments must also stop their favorable treatment of fuels fossil fuels.

The authors called on financial institutions to stop underwriting fossil fuel production and carbon-intensive industries. The report's findings will be presented to governments at the UN COP27 climate summit, which begins in Egypt next month.