The move could be enough to keep the UK within safe climate limits by the end of the next decade.
Brits are being urged to cut down from eating eight doner kebabs a week to six in order to help combat climate change.
According to the Climate Change Committee, which published a new report this week, giving up two doner kebabs’ worth of meat a week will be enough to keep the UK within safe climate limits by the end of the next decade.
A report from the UK’s climate advisers claims that drastic changes in behaviour can be avoided if the government takes action on greenhouse gases from energy, transport and industry.
“We are absolutely not saying everyone needs to be vegan. But we do expect to see a shift in dietary habits,” said Emily Nurse, head of net zero at the Climate Change Committee, which on Wednesday published its official advice to the government on meeting the UK’s target of reaching net zero emissions by 2050.
Other measures put forward include making flights more expensive by the 2040s, although the sector could still expand by 10% while meeting emission targets.
In contrast to previous advice that no airport expansion could take place without big cuts to carbon elsewhere, it was not prescriptive about where or how the expansion could occur.
It did find that a frequent flyer tax would have broad public support, and called on the aviation industry to take responsibility for reducing the resulting climate impact through investments in sustainable fuels and greater efficiency.
Gas boilers will have to go, people will have to use public transport and walk and cycle more frequently, while homes will need to be much better insulated, saving money as well as carbon, the CCC said.
There is broad public support for these moves, according to a representative citizens’ panel convened by the CCC and other polling.
Although rightwing politicians have criticised climate action – Reform party leader Richard Tice calls it “net stupid zero” – the public are clearly in favour of making sacrifices for the betterment of the planet.
