COP26: Why world leaders need to be talking about alternative proteins
Alice RavenscroftPlant-based and cultivated meat cut emissions by up to 92%. In order to meet the Paris Agreement, we must change how meat is made.
Fermentation
Plant-based category marketing
Interest in plant-based products is growing, but many consumers still express skepticism about plant protein foods, or simply lack familiarity with the category. Category marketing campaigns to promote plant-based and alt protein products, independent of specific brands, can engender familiarity and showcase recent innovations. Campaigns can emphasize flavor, convenience, familiarity, nutrition, and other positive attributes. Category marketing can help expand existing markets, increase demand, and promote alternative proteins for new markets and use cases.
Facilitating import and export of alternative protein products
Many alternative protein companies are interested in exporting their products or ingredients, and this is matched by interest from businesses in many countries eager to import exciting products. But import/export is a complex endeavor with many legal, logistical, and administrative challenges. There are many opportunities for brokers, directories, legal firms, and service providers to facilitate global trade in alternative proteins, including consulting services on regulatory compliance, facilitating introductions to in-country distribution partners, and aggregating listings of government support programs and trade contacts.
Animal ingredient substitution
Enabling easy animal ingredient substitutions in a wide range of food products.
Alternative protein high school summer program
There is currently a lack of resources for high school students interested in alternative proteins. Students interested in entering this field would benefit from the creation of summer courses that provide motivated high school students with the theoretical background, hands on experience, and a network of peers to help foster their interest in alternative proteins. The aim of initiating such a program is to encourage students to pursue self-directed learning in this area, thus stimulating growth in the alternative protein community.
B2B bioreactor technology company
Alternative protein companies would benefit from the availability of off-the-shelf or customizable bioreactors for cultivated meat and fermentation-derived products. This need could be filled by increased investment in and support of existing companies (see "Related Efforts"), creation of new companies, or strategic pivots by companies currently producing bioreactor technology for other applications.
Alternative proteins offer climate opportunities and mitigate business risk
Emma IgnaszewskiAs the IPCC puts the finishing touches on part two of its Sixth Assessment Report, which assesses the impacts of climate change on our planet and will be completed in February 2022, we explore the implications of part one and highlight opportunities for alternative proteins to mitigate climate impacts.
The Business of Alt Protein: Building brand awareness with compelling storytelling
Join branding and consumer research experts in a panel discussing how alternative protein companies can leverage storytelling to build awareness and trust with consumers.
How alternative meats could help save the planet
GFI's Bruce Friedrich and Energy Innovation executive director for strategy and policy Anand Gopal argue that the climate community must back (and governments must implement) strong policies in support of alternative meats, or Paris agreement goals will not be possible.
Scientists awarded $5 million to boost research into alternative meats — a powerful and scalable climate solution
Despite booming commercial interest in alternative meat and the huge climate mitigation potential it offers, funding for academic research lags; GFI’s grant program is designed to address this shortfall and key scientific bottlenecks.
