Grazing livestock is linked to climate change. They can boost the sequestration of carbon in some locally specific circumstances. At the global level, they are responsible for greenhouse gas emissions, directly linked to global warming. The conclusion: Eat less meat and dairy products.

The “Plates, Pyramids, Planet” report evaluates government-issued food guidelines from across the globe, looking in particular at whether they make links to environmental sustainability in addition to promoting good eating habits.

The report, Changing What We Eat, states that changing our eating habits is crucial to improving public health and reducing the environmental footprint of food, which accounts for around 30% of greenhouse gas emissions.

The agricultural sector is a major contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, accounting for up to 30 per cent of the global total. Agriculture is itself also affected by climate change, with overall impacts predicted to be negative, particularly in poor countries.