The World Bank recommends reducing aid to livestock farmers in order to combat climate change

Rich countries should reduce the financial aid offered to the livestock sector, in order to help reduce the pollution created by the consumption of red meat and dairy products, the World Bank claims, according to the Bloomberg agency, quoted by Agerpres.

Including environmental and health costs in the prices of carbon-intensive food products of animal origin would reduce consumer demand for those products.

This would mean redirecting subsidies from the livestock sector to sectors with lower emissions such as poultry farming, fruit and vegetable production, according to a World Bank report on reducing the climate footprint of the food sector.

“We are not saying that public support for agriculture should be reduced. We say it should be used in a more efficient way that actually contributes to healthier diets and a healthier planet,” said report author Bill Sutton.

From farm to fork, food systems are responsible for nearly a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock farming is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, and high-income countries are among the biggest consumers, but the sector lags far behind other industries when it comes to financial commitments, objects and actions.

The World Bank warns that the current food system is “sickening” the planet

If the impact of food on the climate is not resolved, the planet will not reach its climate goals, warns the World Bank. According to the authors of the report, annual investments must be increased 18 times, up to 260 billion dollars, to halve emissions from the agri-food sector by 2030 and help the planet reach its goal of reaching zero emissions in 2050.

However, the rewards will be far greater than the costs, the World Bank report points out. Governments, companies and citizens can expand their range of food options with low emissions through various measures, such as education and communication campaigns, promotion techniques or food labeling, the World Bank claims.

Including all costs in the price of food products of animal origin would make options with lower emissions more competitive, while meat-based products would cost 20% to 60% more, World Bank experts estimate.

A study conducted by the University of Leiden and Chatham House showed that more than 80% of agricultural subsidies in the European Union are directed to animal products with intensive carbon emissions.

“The food system must be repaired, because it makes the planet sick and is an important part of climate change. There are actions that can be taken now to make the agri-food sector a bigger contributor to fighting climate change and healing the planet. These actions are available and accessible”, World Bank experts emphasize.