A shift in food taxes could cut emissions and make diets healthier, researchers say

EuronewsCenterEN 2 min read 100% complete October 24, 2025 at 02:00 PM

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medium article 2 min

A study published in Ecological Economics suggests that implementing taxes on environmentally harmful foods and subsidizing healthier options could reduce both climate impact and health risks. The research, conducted by Chalmers University of Technology, focused on Sweden where food consumption's negative impact on the climate is about twice that of passenger car emissions. By removing VAT from fruits, vegetables, legumes, whole grains, and adding taxes to beef, lamb, pork, processed meats, and sugar-sweetened beverages, researchers predict a 19% reduction in meat consumption and a decrease equivalent to 700,000 tonnes of carbon dioxide in the climate footprint. This shift could also improve public health by encouraging more plant-based diets.

Key Topics & Entities

Chalmers University of Technology 70% EAT-Lancet Commission 80% Sweden ×280% Jörgen Larsson ×2100%

Keywords

food taxes 90% climate impact 85% healthier diets 80% greenhouse gas emissions 75% plant-based diets 70% food tax shift 65% environmental benefits 60% meat consumption 55% carbon dioxide 50% swedish study 45%

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Positive

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Euronews

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Center (0.00)

Far LeftCenterFar Right

Classification Confidence

90%

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Sweden

This article was automatically classified using rule-based analysis. The political bias score ranges from -1 (far left) to +1 (far right).

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food taxes climate impact healthier diets greenhouse gas emissions plant-based diets food tax shift environmental benefits meat consumption carbon dioxide swedish study

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