US Edition98 per cent of meat and dairy sustainability pledges are greenwashing
Researchers found only 29% of 1,233 claims had supporting evidence, while many companies relied on vague promises and carbon offsets.
- On Wednesday, a study published in PLOS Climate analyzed more than 1,200 claims from 33 of the world's largest meat and dairy companies, finding that 98 per cent of their environmental promises could be classified as greenwashing.
- The meat and dairy industry accounts for at least 16.5 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions, yet researchers found companies make sweeping environmental claims with almost no scientific backing to support them.
- Companies often rely on offsetting emissions or superficial packaging tweaks—such as reducing tape width by 3 millimetres—rather than tangible reductions, according to the research team's analysis of 1,233 claims.
- Legal pressure is mounting, with lawsuits against JBS, Tyson, and Arla Foods for misleading advertising; Arla Foods representative Bjarke Munk Kamstrup told The Independent, "We fundamentally disagree with the conclusions in this report."
- Lead author Maya Bach warned that misleading claims reduce pressure on policymakers, urging a shift from public relations exercises toward meaningful investments that actually reduce the sector's significant climate impact.
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14 Articles
According to a recent study, 98 percent of the climate and environmental promises of the largest meat and dairy companies are Greenwashing
Scientists Reveal the Scale of Meat and Dairy Industry Greenwashing
Cows at a dairy farm in Mount Vernon, Washington, US, on April 20, 2026. —David Ryder—Getty ImagesMeat and dairy production are among the biggest contributors to global emissions. And many companies are increasingly aware of their climate impacts—and eager to take action. But according to new research released today, the majority of the sustainability claims and commitments made by meat and dairy companies can be considered greenwashing.The prod…
NewScientist
Los Angeles Weekly Times98 per cent of meat and dairy sustainability pledges are greenwashing
The food industry has made big promises to reduce emissions and become more sustainable, but a review concludes that many of the pledges are not backed up by evidence
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