Asian Geographic2017

The Hong Kong government’s web page on climate change
details its initiatives in this area and lists ways individuals
can take action, such as recycling. At no point is there any
mention of meat. And yet, the livestock sector accounts for a
hefty 15 percent of global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions –
more than the emissions from all cars, planes, trains and
ships combined – says the United Nation’s Food and
Agricultural Organization.
Eating less beef offers an easy way to reduce one’s
carbon footprint: One study showed producing one kilogram
of beef represents driving a distance of about 160 kilometres.
Given that Hong Kong has the world’s highest meat –
and beef – consumption per capita (significantly topping
Australia, Argentina and the United States), the casual
omission of cutting down meat on the government’s web
page is significant.

top left Cows on a factory

farm. Research has shown

that a vegetarian diet would

cut food-related emissions by

over 60 percent

top A farm for growing

broiler chickens. Sustainable

food producers are left to

compete with factory farms

for market share

bottom left A seller cashes

money at the Shigatse

lamb market in Tibet. The

global consumption of meat

is expected to grow by 76

percent by 2050

Eating less beef offers an easy way

to reduce one’s carbon footprint:

One study showed producing one

kilogram of beef represents driving a

distance of about 160 kilometres