The shift from meat to plant-based proteins: consumers and public policy

Abstract

A reduction in meat consumption would be desirable to promote sustainable diets. Globally, meat consumption is still increasing, and the various meat alternatives introduced in recent years occupy only a small share of the meat market. Since technological solutions alone are not sufficient to reduce meat consumption, policy measures and interventions are discussed. We describe various measures that have been proposed to reduce meat consumption. Based on the evidence from the literature, some of these measures are unlikely to be effective (e.g. labeling) or acceptable to consumers (e.g. taxes). It will be important to focus on measures that are effective (e.g. nudging). However, since consumers tend to be resistant to fundamental changes in their diet, rapid transitions cannot be expected.