Credit Suisse points out that over 30% of global food production is lost and wasted

The Credit Suisse Research Institute released the report "Global Food System: Exploring Sustainable Development Solutions", pointing out that more than 30% of global food production is lost and wasted, and that if the sustainability of the global food system is to be enhanced, then a shift to plant-based diets is imperative.

 

The report notes that nearly 700 million people are currently malnourished, while 40% of adults worldwide are overweight or obese. Malnutrition is not the only reason the global food system urgently needs transformation. Food production and consumption already account for more than 20% of global greenhouse gas emissions and more than 90% of the world's freshwater consumption.

 

If no action is taken, the environmental impact of the global food system will deteriorate significantly over the coming decades. By 2050, the global population will approach the 10 billion mark, and human dietary patterns will further change, especially among the growing emerging middle class; food-related greenhouse gas emissions will increase by 46%, and demand for agricultural land is expected to rise by 49%. This runs counter to the environmental goal of achieving global net zero emissions by 2050.

 

The report states that research shows plant-based foods not only have a greenhouse gas emission intensity 90% lower than the current average diet, but could also reduce premature adult deaths by about 11 million. Alternative animal protein products have enormous development potential, and it is estimated that by 2050 the market for alternative meat and dairy products will grow from about 14 billion US dollars today to 1.4 trillion US dollars.