The Potential of a Tax on Meat and Dairy: Tackling Climate Change whilst Improving Health

I love my coffee with lots and lots of milk. And my tea. I have at least one bowl of muesli a day, vanilla ice-cream is my favorite and I can’t say no to peanut butter smoothies. Long story short, I really like milk. And I consume a lot of it. I’d lie if I said that switching to non-dairy milk alternatives was easy. I tried lots of different kinds and even experimented blending it myself until I found something that satisfied my appetite for the little creamy extra (but I did :)!!). I assume I am not the only one who is trying to consume less dairy but could need a little extra incentive to get used to the change. 

Considering that avoiding meat and dairy is the largest single measure to reduce a person’s impact on the environment, offers multiple health benefits, and substantially increases animal welfare, you’d think that this change would be incentivised. So what’s up with the extra 50p for an oat-milk coffee over a cow’s milk latte or paying the same (and sometimes more) for a salad as the vegetarian option than a full meaty meal in a restaurant? Doesn’t exactly help the resolution to stay away from dairy. Or even give everyone the option. 

So, with all this in mind when we were assigned to write policy briefs during my Masters, I decided to focus on the environmental and health benefits of taxing meat and dairy. The idea includes making healthy, sustainable options more affordable, aligning what is beneficial for your body, animals, and the planet with what is beneficial for your wallet. Making it easier not harder to reduce your environmental impact. 

As part of our food theme this month, I wanted to share it with you.