What is the actual cost of your hamburger

Hamburgers are a popular choice of food. We can’t get enough of the burger, whether we order in, eat out, or swoon over perfect-filtered photos on Instagram.

Since their humble beginnings around the turn of this century, burgers have come a long way. The variety of burger options has increased in popularity. The market for vegan and vegetarian alternatives has surged in recent years. It reached US$1.4 Billion in 2020.

This is good news for anyone who longs for a burger without the side dish of grilled earth. It is well-documented that cattle are the primary source of global agricultural greenhouse gas emissions. 41% of global greenhouse gas emissions from beef cattle account for most global livestock sector emissions 2. And sadly, chicken doesn’t fare much better. Because of the vast amounts of soy and other grain needed to feed the millions of chickens worldwide each year, poultry production could be more sustainable. The global greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production are estimated to be as high as 18%. This is higher than the transport sector 3.

Other far-reaching effects of meat production cannot be ignored: deforestation for feed, pollution from manure, and irresponsible use of antibiotics, as well as the risk of pandemics and disease emergence. This list could go on.

This is without even taking into account animal welfare issues. Factory-farmed animals are subject to suffering. They are often confined in cramped sheds with little natural light and forced to work as fast as possible. It can leave a bad taste on anyone’s lips.

How to sustainably enjoy a delicious burger

A plant-based burger has a much smaller impact on climate and animal welfare than a meaty one. The Blonk 4 chart shows the carbon footprints of different burger ingredients. Burgers made from beef, pork, and chicken have a climate impact approximately two to five-fold higher than those made from plant-based ingredients.

Major food companies like KFC, Burger King, and McDonald’s have jumped on the plant-based bandwagon and now offer veggie and vegan burgers across multiple countries. Major meat producers are changing their brands to ‘protein companies’ and adding plant-based options into their product lines.

There needs to be more. Companies that sell animal- and plant-based protein products shouldn’t try increasing their sales in either category. The number of farmed animals must be drastically reduced to ensure a sustainable and humane future.

As COP26 draws near, we call on decision-makers at this critical event to ensure that livestock production is considered. This is essential if we are to solve the climate crisis. Policies must be developed to support the de-intensification and reduction of livestock production in multiple sectors, including finance and public procurement.

We are part of the solution. Check out these plant-based options next time you crave a burger. They are delicious, and we do our part to save the planet. Take one bite at a time.