Environmental Impact of the Plant-Based Meat Alternatives

Abstract

With global population growth and rising consumption levels, the demand for meat has increased dramatically. Traditional animal husbandry, due to its high resource consumption and significant environmental pressures—such as substantial greenhouse gas emissions, land occupation, and water resource waste, has become difficult to sustainably meet future demands. As an emerging alternative protein source, plant-based meat substitutes can significantly reduce resource consumption and alleviate environmental pollution by extracting protein from plants and simulating the taste of meat. Based on the life cycle assessment method, this paper systematically compares the environmental impacts of plant-based meat substitutes and traditional pork on greenhouse gas emissions, energy use, water consumption, and land use during the production process. The results indicate that plant-based meat substitutes exhibit superior environmental performance in all dimensions. Furthermore, this article explores the current challenges in the industry, such as insufficient consumer acceptance, and proposes corresponding promotion strategies, providing both a theoretical foundation and practical references for the development of plant-based meat substitutes.