Which diets are best for the planet?

Ultimately, the best diet for the planet is fueled by the collective. Small changes you make can be multiplied by the masses.

Ruminant meats (beef, sheep and goat) are by far the most resource-intensive foods. Per gram of protein, ruminant meats require roughly 20 times more land and generate up to 10 times more greenhouse gas emissions than pork and poultry. When compared to beans, lentils, and other plant-based proteins, they perform even worse.

The table below compares the greenhouse gas mitigation potential of different diets. While veganism offers the largest reduction, plant-forward diets like flexitarian, pescatarian, and even 'climate carnivore' — where 75% of red meat is replaced with other meat — provide roughly half that potential. This highlights the significant impact achievable through even modest dietary shifts.

Another way to think about it – invite a friend to join you in a plant-forward diet and your impact will be comparable to going vegan alone.

Demand-side greenhouse gas mitigation potential of different diets

Measured in gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalents (GtCO₂-eq) mitigated per year.

Vegan

A completely plant-based diet.

Vegetarian

A diet of grains, vegetables, fruits, sugars, oils, eggs and dairy and around one serving of meat or seafood per month.

Flexitarian

A diet in which 75% of meat and dairy is replaced by cereals and pulses. (This includes at least 500g of fruit and vegetables and at least 100g of plant-based protein per day – and no more than one portion of red meat a week.)

Healthy diet

A diet based on global dietary guidelines, which involves eating less meat and more fruit and vegetables.

Pescetarian

A vegetarian diet that includes seafood.

Fair and frugal

A diet assuming food is shared equally across the world with each person consuming 2800 calories a day. (This involves a relatively low level of animal products.)

Climate carnivore

A diet where 75% of red meat is replaced with other meat.

Mediterranean

A diet of vegetables, fruits, grains, sugars, oils, eggs, dairy, seafood and moderate amounts of poultry, pork, lamb and beef.

Adapted from the IPCC’s Special Report on Climate Change and Land ↗. Estimates indicate technical potential only and include additional effects of carbon sequestration from land-sparing. Data without error bars are from one study only.

The World Resources Institute found a similar result: capping protein for the entire population at 60g per day would have a greater environmental impact than a quarter of the population going fully vegetarian.¹

This underscores the power of plant-forward choices adopted by many. Ultimately, the best diet for the planet is fueled by the collective. Small changes you make can be multiplied by the masses.

Even with food, less can be more!

A note on nutrients: Plant proteins can be combined to get the full range of required amino acids and micronutrients (aside from B12). Focus on iron-rich options like lentils, leafy greens, or fortified foods, and ensure adequate B12 intake. Seeking guidance from a registered dietitian is wise for those with specific dietary requirements or concerns.

Which diets are best for the planet?

Demand-side greenhouse gas mitigation potential of different diets

Measured in gigatonnes of CO2 equivalents (GtCO2-eq) mitigated per year.

Measured in gigatonnes of CO₂ equivalents (GtCO₂-eq) mitigated per year.