41% of Brits Are Ditching Meat and Fish to Fight the Climate Crisis

Two in five Brits are reducing the amount of meat and fish they eat in order to help fight the climate crisis, according to a new study.

The study by personal finance comparison site Finder reveals common adjustments Brits plan on making in order to reduce their impact on the environment. The study polled 2,000 people living in the UK over the age of 18. Overall, 75 percent of Brits plan on making at least one lifestyle change over the course of the next year to benefit the planet.

In addition to the 41 percent who have already cut down on meat and fish, research shows a further 13 percent plan to do so in the next year.

More than a fifth of Brits say they plan to eat more locally-grown food. Another 18 percent say they plan on growing their own food. One in ten plans on wasting less food.

In order to reduce their waste, Brits also plan on buying more sustainable clothes, using less water, cleaning with environmentally-friendly products, and using eco-friendly hygiene items.

Brits Ditch Meat

A similar study by market research firm Mintel found that nearly 40 percent of meat-eaters in the UK are reducing their meat consumption in favor of flexitarian diets.

The data shows the number of Brits who have eaten meatless foods increased in 2019 to 65 percent. This figure is up from 50 percent in 2017. The firm found the sales of meat-free products also grew 40 percent between 2014 and 2019.

Due to the increase in demand, the sales of plant-based foods in the UK are expected to surpass £1.1 billion by 2024.

“The rising popularity of flexitarian diets has helped to drive demand for meat-free products,” Kate Vlietstra, Mintel Global Food & Drink Analyst, said. “Many consumers perceive that plant-based foods are a healthier option.

Vlietstra added: “This notion is the key driver behind the reduction in meat consumption in recent years.”

Brits that did ditch meat in favor of plant-based foods saved about £6.7 billion last year. This is according to research commissioned by Linda McCartney, the popular British plant-based food brand.

The study found that more than 12 million meat eaters consumed less beef, chicken, lamb, and pork last year compared to previous years. This saved each person approximately £550.