Environmental Impact 
Everyone eats, everyone can make a change. If you are in the position to choose food for your team you have a great chance to make a noticeable difference by opting for plant-based catering.
Our eating habits are a major driving force behind climate change.
Here’s why:
Adopting a plant-based diet is a powerful way to reduce environmental impact, particularly concerning water usage and carbon dioxide emissions. The livestock industry is a major contributor to both issues. According to the World Resources Institute, producing one kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 liters of water, whereas growing one kilogram of vegetables typically requires only around 300 liters (WRI, 2016). This stark contrast highlights how shifting to plant-based foods can significantly conserve freshwater resources, which are increasingly under threat due to over-extraction and climate change.
In terms of greenhouse gas emissions, the livestock sector is responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, primarily in the form of methane and carbon dioxide (FAO, 2013). A study published in *Nature* (2018) indicates that if the global population shifted to a plant-based diet, it could lead to a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by as much as 70% by 2050. This reduction is critical in the fight against climate change, as every ton of CO2 avoided helps to mitigate the impacts of global warming.
Transitioning to a plant-based diet not only lowers individual carbon footprints but also promotes more sustainable agricultural practices. By reducing the demand for meat and dairy, we can lessen the environmental strain caused by livestock farming, which includes deforestation, habitat loss, and soil degradation. A report from the IPCC (2019) emphasizes the importance of dietary changes in achieving climate goals, suggesting that a plant-based diet is one of the most effective personal actions one can take to reduce overall environmental impact.
Citations:
Hannah Ritchie (2021) – “Drivers of Deforestation” Published online at OurWorldinData.org. Retrieved from: ‘https://ourworldindata.org/drivers-of-deforestation‘ [Online Resource]
Which foods need the most water to produce? | World Economic Forum (weforum.org)