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Data from the CAST Data Portal collected in Oct/Nov 2023 shows clear differences around meat reduction.
More women (46%) said they were ‘fairly/very willing’ to eat less meat or meat products than men (39%) – as shown in the chart below. Similarly, women were more likely to say they intended to adopt a vegetarian diet (27% women vs 18% men) or vegan diet (17% women vs 13% men).
This fits with other evidence showing there are notable gender differences when it comes to meat consumption in the UK. For instance, YouGov polling from 2022 showed that while three-quarters of Britons (75%) eat meat – the rates were clearly higher amongst men (82%) than women (69%).
However, the hallmarks of gender differences appeared to be less notable for other forms of diet choices. The CAST data shows little in the way of gender divergence when it comes to buying locally-produced food (64% willingness for women, vs. 65% men) and reducing food waste (82% willingness for women, vs. 80% men).
Chart: Gender differences in willingness to eat less meat or meat products. Source: CAST Data Portal.
According to Climate Change Committee’s (CCC) latest carbon budget, a range of low-carbon choices will form part of a “balanced pathway” towards net zero – with food and diet changes making “smaller, but important contributions” to this transition. Household low-carbon choices contribute to one-third of emissions reduction in 2040, while a shift in average meat and dairy consumption are anticipated to make up 6% of these household emissions reductions. The CCC note that:
“By 2040, 25% of meat (30% of red meat) and 20% of dairy is replaced with lower-carbon foods, compared to 2019 consumption levels”
Drawing on evidence from a Citizens’ Panel, which was convened as part of the report, the CCC found that:
Interestingly, much of the news coverage of the Carbon Budget focused on diet shifts, despite a greater emphasis on other measures. (Electrification and low-carbon electricity supply make up the largest share of emissions reductions in the CCC’s pathway – 60% by 2040).
A three-month online research and engagement project conducted by Hubbub worked with 175 UK homeowners (followed by polling of 501 UK homeowners) to understand how to support UK households in the transition to net zero.
On diets and food, the work found people’s motivations involve a mix of considerations about health, costs and taste. Health was the biggest priority when it came to diet, but people also reported cutting down on meat due to increased costs.
When it came to tackling food waste, the expert advice and engagement offered to households helped to drive meaningful changes. By engaging in the project, 75% (130) of 175 Household participants said they felt more confident about reducing and preventing food waste at home.
More widely, the work suggests that further measures are needed to enable households to buy more loose fruit and vegetables, and increase the range of vegetarian choices available; while in terms of communication and engagement, the report suggests there is a need reframe meat reduction more positively.
What’s the public appetite for climate-friendly food choices?
Making sense of public opinion on sustainable food and diet changes in 2025 – from willingness and perception gaps, to policies and public engagement.