Beyond Energy: Why We Need a Consumption Transition to Decarbonise

Sequestering Carbon, Sparing Animals: The Dual Climate Opportunity of Animal-Free Biotech

In this article, our objective is to clearly outline the importance of going beyond just energy transition and, therefore, also focusing on transitioning how we consume and manufacture products. Whilst we are partial and passionate about our beliefs, it’s important to disclose that this article is based on factual information. 

A common opinion within the industry is that the world, investors, and consumers alike should be fearful because alternative protein investments are drying up. Whilst energy transition is a big talking point at many climate conferences, we need to shed light on the potential for decarbonisation with biotech and bioeconomy solutions. This ultimately shifts how we manufacture and produce what we eat, wear, and take as medicines. 

The sad reality that we all know is the truth is our overreliance on Mother Nature. The beautiful animals that populate our planet work tirelessly for us, day and night, yet, in return, they get abused. We take away their lives, children and way of living. This approach is unsustainable. Nature-based solutions and solar/wind farms are the main methods of decarbonisation. 

However, little is spoken about novel bioeconomy ways to reimagine what and how we consume that could drastically affect climate change. Which includes changing what we manufacture and how we do that.

The global decarbonisation market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 11.5% from 2023 to 2032, reaching $2.54 trillion by 2032.¹ Is there a better manufacturing method that's less extractive, cleaner, and kinder to Mother Nature?

We don’t JUST need energy transition; we need consumption transition.

The global economy's reliance on animals significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Livestock farming alone accounts for around 14.5% of global human-induced emissions (according to the most conservative estimate from FAO). Removing our reliance on animals and transitioning to animal-free alternatives can drastically reduce our carbon footprint and accelerate economic decarbonisation.

Animal-free food, materials, and ingredients have substantially lower carbon, land, and water footprints than animal-derived counterparts. For example, animal-free meat and dairy products can reduce emissions by 30-90%. Similarly, natural, animal-free ingredients in cosmetics have a much smaller environmental impact.

Investing in solutions like YeastUp, which uses upcycled protein from spent brewer yeast, Algama, which uses protein/ingredients from microalgae (which act as an excellent way for carbon capture23), and Ingrediome, which uses precision fermentation using cyanobacteria (blue-green algae are great carbon sinks), can supercharge decarbonisation. These circular solutions leverage organisms that actively remove carbon, creating a double climate benefit. 

What do the numbers say?

• Plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives have the potential to partially replace traditional livestock farming, which is a significant contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. Livestock production accounts for approximately 7.1 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent per year, producing 14.5% of total anthropogenic (human-caused) greenhouse gas emissions worldwide².

• Enhancing current forestry and agricultural practices could increase carbon sequestration (the process of capturing and storing atmospheric carbon dioxide) by approximately 25%. Improved methods in these sectors can potentially augment the natural removal of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere³⁴.

• Carbon capture through genetically engineered crop plants presents a promising economic opportunity. For instance, sugarcane could be genetically modified to produce substantial quantities of biodiesel, with a projected yield of around 6,700 litres per hectare—significantly higher than the yield of soybeans, approximately 500 litres per hectare.⁵

Decoupling from animals also opens up opportunities to utilise more sustainable agricultural practices that sequester carbon, improve soil health, and support biodiversity. This shift from industrial animal agriculture can be crucial in meeting global climate targets and building a more sustainable, low-carbon future. Accelerating this transition is essential for rapidly decarbonising our economies and societies.

At Beyond Impact, we believe offering an alternative to climate financing is vital. As a race, we can decarbonise by changing our consumption patterns. The animal-free economy provides a great alternative. We truly believe we are on the cusp of a generational shift to decarbonise every aspect of our existence—cleaner, healthier, and kinder to people, planet, and animals.

Additional resources for further curiosity.»

• Biotechnology for carbon capture and fixation: Critical review and future directions, ScienceDirect
• The potential of CO2-based production cycles in biotechnology to fight the climate crisis, Nature
• Designing for deep decarbonisation: accelerating the US Bioeconomy
• Sustainable and circular bio-economy in the climate agenda, FAO
• The Bioeconomy to the Rescue by Gordon Rausser and David Zilberman

1 Global Decarbonizing Market 2024–2033, CMI

2 Gerber, P. J. & Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations. Tackling Climate Change Through Livestock: A Global Assessment Of Emissions And Mitigation Opportunities. 141 (Food & Agriculture Organization, 2014).

3 Smith, P. et al. Agriculture, forestry, and other land use (AFOLU). In Climate Change 2014: Mitigation of Climate Change. Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (eds. Edenhofer, O. et al.) (Cambridge University Press, 2014).

4 Sutton, M. A. et al. Nitrogen - Grasping the Challenge. A Manifesto for Science-in-Action through the International Nitrogen Management System.Summary Report. Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, Edinburgh, UK (2019).

5 Huang, H., Long, S. & Singh, V. Techno-economic analysis of biodiesel and ethanol coproduction from lipid-producing sugarcane. Biofuels, Bioprod. Bioref. 10, 299–315 (2016).

PS: Written by Sagar T. , Partner, Beyond Impact