90%

Fewer Emissions

are generated from Beyond Meat’s Beyond Burgers compared to 1.4 lbs beef counterparts

46%

Less Energy

is required to produce a Beyond Burger as opposed to conventional beef

118000

Retail and Food Service Outlets

sell Beyond Meat’s plant-based meat products as of March 2021

View Our Analysis

The Path to Drawdown: Plant-based Diet

The meat-centric Western diet accounts for about one-fifth of global emissions. Land clearing, fertilizer use, and methane from cattle combined take an enormous toll on the environment and the climate.

Transitioning to a diet rich in plants is a demand-side solution that reduces emissions and tends to be healthier. If the world adopted a vegan diet, business-as-usual emissions could be reduced by up to 70%, and a vegetarian diet could reduce emissions by 63%. On top of that, adopting a plant-based diet could help save $1 trillion in annual health-care costs and lost productivity.

Global dietary preferences based on meat, fish and dairy products are deeply ingrained in Western cultures, and lower-income countries might also adopt them as they develop. Bringing about dietary change requires plant-based options that are widely available, visible, and enticing, including high-quality meat substitutes.

Project Drawdown estimates that, if 75% of the global population transitions to a plant-rich diet by 2050, this dietary change can reduce GHG emissions by up to 91.72 gigatons: 68.32 gigatons from diverted agricultural production, 23.16 gigatons from avoided land conversion, and 0.24 gigatons from sequestration from ecosystem protection.

What We Want to See Improve

Report GHG Emissions

We are excited by Beyond Meat’s claim that their burgers emit 90% fewer GHG emissions than the lifecycle of beef patties. But we need to see Beyond Meat’s direct and indirect emissions accurately tracked and reported in a methodologically rigorous way. We urge them to publish an annual sustainability report and include in it their scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions.

Set Science-Based Emissions Reduction Targets

Once emissions are reported, we want Beyond Meat to set clear, quantitative targets for reducing their emissions that are science-based to adhere to the goal of staying below 1.5°C of global warming.

Work with Environmentally-Friendly Banks

In April 2020, Beyond Meat entered into a $150 million five-year credit agreement with JP Morgan Chase Bank (p. 112), a major funder of fossil fuel companies. We call on Beyond Meat’s executives to consider working with banks that refuse to finance the fossil fuel industry on principle for their loans in the future.

Related Plant-Based Diet Stocks in the Climate Index

View All Climate Index Stocks →

Allocated Company Description

0.49%

Oatly Group AB (OTLY)

Oatley makes alternatives to dairy products from oats like milk, frozen desserts, and yogurt. Plant-based food can greatly cut emissions from agriculture

0.40%

Beyond Meat (BYND)

Beyond Meat makes burgers, sausages, beef, and meatballs from plant-based sources. Plant-based diet can massively cut emissions from agriculture

0.28%

The Hain Celestial Group, Inc. (HAIN)

HAIN sells meat alternative and plant-based food made from soy, rice, oats, almonds and coconut. Plant-based food is a key Drawdown solution

0.05%

SunOpta Inc. (STKL)

SunOpta makes plant-based and fruit-based food and beverage products. Plant-based diet can cut emissions from agriculture

0.02%

Burcon NutraScience Corp. (BRCN)

BRCN makes plant proteins and ingredients that go into food and beverage products. Plant-based food can massively cut emissions from agriculture

0.02%

Laird Superfood, Inc. (LSF)

Laird Superfood makes plant-based and functional foods for optimal well-being and high-performance. Plant-based diet is a key Drawdown solution

0.02%

MeaTech 3D Ltd. (MITC)

MeaTech makes lab-grown meat that’s 3D printed using stem cells. Their process doesn’t harm animals. Meat-free diet can massively cut agriculture emissions

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