Meat tax: higher prices for the environment - good or bad?

Meat tax: higher prices for the environment - good or bad?

In Germany, the enjoyment of meat and sausage is highly regarded. On average, German citizens consume more than a kilo of meat per week, which is well above the recommended maximum of 300 grams per week. This not only has a health impact, but also a significant impact on our environment. According to that MDR Meat production is responsible for a significant portion of greenhouse gas emissions in Germany and contributes to the overuse of agricultural land that is needed for the production of animal feed.

A main proposal from climate researchers is to abolish the reduced VAT on meat products. In Germany, as in many other EU countries, a reduced tax rate of just 7% is currently levied on meat. Instead, consideration is being given to increasing this to 19%. This measure could not only reduce meat consumption, but also reduce environmentally harmful practices. An increase in VAT could reduce private emissions by around 5%, as the study by the Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research shows. It is another way to better integrate environmental costs into prices.
As the Research and knowledge reported that such an increase would increase the average annual household expenditure on nutrition by around 109 euros, although in the long term the net costs would only be 26 euros, provided that the additional income is repaid by the state. These are quite tolerable burdens in relation to the positive effect on the environment.

A look at the numbers

Meat production has increased dramatically in recent decades. In 2022, 360 million tonnes of meat were produced globally, with forecasts calling for an increase to 455 million tonnes by 2050. In Germany, annual meat consumption per person is on average 52 kg, more than three times higher than the recommendations. Cattle are particularly harmful to the climate; according to a study by Bard College, their CO₂ emissions are up to 40 times higher than other protein sources. A quarter of the earth's ice-free surface is used for livestock farming, which also contributes to deforestation in sensitive regions such as the Amazon.

• 18% der Treibhausgasemissionen stammen aus der Fleischproduktion.
• Die Produktion tierischer Lebensmitteln benötigt zwei Hektar Futterfläche für jeden Hektar pflanzlicher Nahrungsmittel.
• Der ökologische Fußabdruck der Ernährung hat einen signifikanten Einfluss auf Wasser- und Landverbrauch sowie Biodiversitätsgefährdung.

A rethink is necessary

The discussion about meat consumption and its impact on the environment is becoming increasingly louder. Nutritionists recommend consciously reducing meat consumption in order to protect the climate and promote your own health. A balanced diet that includes less animal and more plant-based foods could not only help reduce the ecological footprint, but also steer agriculture in a more environmentally friendly direction. The NABU emphasizes that certified organic products often have a better carbon footprint and that promoting regional and seasonal products would make sense.

In summary, it can be said that a rethinking of diet is necessary. Adjusting the VAT could be a decisive step in reducing meat consumption and thus achieving positive climate effects. In order to overcome the challenges, consumers and politicians are facing the future with a view to sustainable and healthy nutrition.