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Picadeli’s 2023 Vegocracy Report: I’d like to have my planet and eat it too 

20th March 2023

Eating green isn’t always easy. For some people, affordability is a barrier. For others, it’s knowing how to eat green. What’s more, lots of us have no idea when it comes to the carbon footprint of our food (net zero knowledge). This is bad for our health, but also the health of the planet too.  

Alfred has partnered with leading healthy fast food expert, Picadeli, to launch its annual Vegocracy Report; an international study conducted across seven countries (this year with over 10,000 respondents), examining why we’re not eating greener. 

Eating green, puts us in the red

In this year’s report Picadeli has uncovered a “green gap” – namely the growing difference between what consumers want to do and what they can afford to do. With the cost-of-living crisis at an all time high, we discovered that the bank balance is coming before the climate when it comes to eating greener. One in three consumers (27%) stated they’re cutting back on fruit and vegetables to save on cost with one in two (49%) stating that the main barrier to not eating more sustainably is because it’s too expensive. But can we afford not to put our health and the health of the planet first? 

 Ignorance is (unhealthy) bliss

It’s no secret that the world needs to eat greener given around 30% of global carbon emissions are produced as a result of our food. Yet the findings from the survey revealed that a quarter (24%) of recipients stated they thought they could have no impact on their carbon footprint and, of those who said yes, only 12% thought that food could have the most impact on their carbon footprint. We’re not prioritising the planet due to the cost, but we also found there’s a lack of understanding around how our daily meal choices can affect the rising temperature of the planet.

*Confused in carbon* 

We found that we’re all a bit *confused in carbon*; over half (53%) of the people surveyed stated clearer carbon labelling would help them to make more planet-friendly choices on their plates. As it is, there is currently no standard method or mandatory labelling system for food brands to use to share information about the carbon in their products. Where does this leave consumers who want to eat greener and how can brands help with the educational process?

Now it’s time to raise the (salad) bar…

As a result of the findings, a number of new initiatives have been launched to help close the “green gap” by educating consumers on the nutritional and sustainability values of food. Importantly, Picadeli will be introducing Climate FoodprintTM to its salad bars; a new, trademarked, carbon labelling system to help everyone make more informed decisions around the environmental impact of their food. 

As part of our partnership with Picadeli, we’re spreading the word about its mission to help the world eat greener across Europe and the USA. 

Interested in digesting more? Read the full report here.

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