Less meat and dairy in our daily groceries: Why supermarkets urgently need to reduce their climate footprint

This report shows why supermarkets in the Netherlands, the most important point of sale for daily groceries for most people, must take responsibility to reduce the climate footprint of the food they sell by at least 55% by 2030, in line with EU targets – this cannot be achieved without addressing the climate impacts of the meat and dairy they sell. [...] The Netherlands: land of meat, butter, cheese and eggs The Netherlands is now the second agro-exporter of the world and after China the largest trader and processor of soya, of which 89% is exported. [...] Most of the soya for own use (93%) is intended for animal feed, in particular for the production of dairy cattle, pigs and chickens, most of which part are intended for the export of meat and dairy6. [...] The food system and in particular meat production and dairy is presented as efficient, but the costs in relation to human health, the environment and climate are high. [...] Climate and meat: the role of supermarkets The Netherlands has one of the highest food-related climate footprints in the EU, with the vast majority (85%) of greenhouse gas emissions caused by meat and dairy production.