The new report "The New Merchants of Doubt" reveals how major meat and dairy companies are mimicking tobacco and fossil fuel industries by obstructing climate action. Food systems contribute about a third of global greenhouse gas emissions, with animal agriculture responsible for around 60% of these emissions, primarily methane.
The report investigates 22 major meat and dairy companies, such as Arla, JBS, Danone or Lactalis, and finds they employ greenwashing, weak climate targets, and misleading advertising to create a false impression of progress. They use social media to target young consumers with misleading claims about the environmental and health benefits of meat and dairy while lobbying against stricter regulations.
Here are the key tactics the Changing Markets Foundation has identified: Distract, Delay, Derail, quite common tactics used by other merchants of doubt such as the tobacco, weapon or fossil fuels industries.
Distract: Companies use greenwashing and deceptive marketing to divert attention from their lack of real climate action.
Delay: They promote voluntary commitments and technological fixes to delay effective regulations.
An example of this is the company Danish Crown, which talks about reducing meat consumption, but works to keep productivity high because while European demand is falling – there is high demand in other regions such as East Asia.
Derail: Industry lobbying and political donations undermine progressive environmental legislation: think about the recent protests in Belgium, Netherlands and Europe.
Despite claiming to prioritise climate action, none of the 22 companies investigated in this report meet the standards set by the UN Expert Group in the Integrity Matters report from COP27.
The report calls for urgent action to hold Big Meat and Dairy accountable for their substantial contributions to climate change, it's time to hold them accountable.
We Don't Have Time for delay.
•
•
5 w
I strongly agree, addressing these contributions is essential for effective climate action, as it encourages sustainable practices and promotes a transition towards more environmentally friendly food systems.
•
•
•
9 w
Thanks all for the positive responses and comments! Completely agree there needs to be accountability for company emissions. We have also launched an EU focused petition with WeMoveEU calling for a change in the food system and polluter pays principles to be implemented. You can sign and share it here: https://action.wemove.eu/sign/2024-07-big-meat-petition-EN?utm_source=partners
•
•
•
5 w
@changing_markets_foundation Thankyou for the feedback....I will sign, It's time we hold them accountable and push for real, transparent change. The future of our planet depends on it!
•
•
10 w
Beef and dairy firms should be held accountable for their contribution to the environment-especially the emissions of methane
•
•
10 w
Totally agree with this and I've also posted on the subject of beef and dairy being described as sustainable in Ireland. The irish farming association argues about "food security " but 70% of Irish beef is for export- Irish farming association just signed a deal with Korea https://www.agriland.ie/farming-news/south-korean-beef-buyers-visit-irish-farms/#:~:text=In%20May%2C%20the%20opening%20of,be%20formally%20launched%20to%20consumers. Dairy is being marketed as essential for calcium and protein. It's a source of these nutrients of course but it is not the only way... a plant filled diet with wholegrains will do the same. By the way the strongest primate of all - the gorilla is vegetarian and no dairy😉🦍💚