Sourcing Concerns Hit on Two-thirds of ESG

In the past month, influential figures in alt. meat production devoted their attention to sourcing decisions — particularly the environmental impact of such choices. Climate policy negotiations (COP26) held in Glasgow, Scotland, served as a uniting factor for these topics.

  • The Good Food Institute asserted: “It’s impossible to meet the Paris Agreement without shifting away from conventional animal agriculture.”
  • However, investors and researchers raised concerns that alternative protein makers lack the governance to demonstrate claims of a lower carbon footprint. In The New York Times, UC Berkeley researcher Ricardo San Martin called the industry “a black box.”

Additionally, foodservice outlets garnered attention for product tests: Burger King piloted Impossible Nuggets mid-October, and McDonald’s tested its McPlant offering (from Beyond Meat) beginning on Nov. 3. Meanwhile, conversations around investment and food trends fell relative to the previous month.

This content was developed in partnership with Alt-Meat, a multimedia brand covering a myriad of topics in the meat alternatives market from a business point of view. For more information, visit Alt-Meat.net.