France has updated its National Strategy for Food, Nutrition and Climate, urging citizens to cut back on meat to reduce emissions.
The French government has recently urged people to “limit” their meat consumption as part of new guidelines aimed at improving public health and cutting emissions.
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Renowned for iconic dishes such as steak-frites and beef bourguignon, the country is beginning to confront the environmental impact of its meat-heavy culinary traditions.
Food and agriculture contribute one-third of global greenhouse gas emissions, second only to burning fossil fuels.
Meat, particularly beef and lamb, has been identified in multiple studies as one of the biggest culprits of climate damage. According to carbon footprint calculator CO2 Everything, one 100g serving of beef is equivalent to 78.7 km of driving, releasing 15.5 kg CO2 equivalent.
France urges citizens to eat less meat
Earlier this month, France published its National Strategy for Food, Nutrition and Climate, outlining the government’s 2030 aims to tackle the climate crisis while addressing growing health concerns.
The report was originally intended for release in 2025, but was postponed following backlash from agriculture lobbyists. It now comes a month after the US dietary guidelines controversially encouraged the consumption of steak and ground beef.
The new French guidelines promote a diet focused on whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, legumes, nuts and wholegrains, while calling for a “limited” consumption of meat and charcuterie.
They also call for a reduction of imported meat, but state that fish and dairy products can be eaten in “sufficient” amounts. Cow's milk generates approximately three times more greenhouse gases than most plant-based alternatives.
Is limiting meat enough to save the planet?
“Better eating means acting for the planet, our health and supporting quality agriculture,” says Monique Barbut, Minister of Ecological Transition, Biodiversity, and International Negotiations on Climate and Nature.
“By choosing local and sustainable products, we reduce our carbon footprint, protect biodiversity and value the work of our farmers. With this strategy, ecology is concretely invited onto our plates.”
While the report acknowledges the environmental impact of meat, activists have criticised the French government for using the term “limit” instead of “reduce”.
Stephanie Pierre of France Assos Sante, a patients’ health association, is quoted in local media saying the group was hoping for a “much more ambitious plan”.
Is France turning away from meat?
However, French people have slowly been moving away from meat-centric cuisine in recent years for a plethora of reasons.
A 2025 poll for climate change association le Réseau found that 52 per cent of citizens have reduced their meat consumption in the last three years. More than half (52 per cent) said this was due to the spiralling cost of meat products.
38 per cent cited health as the main driver for eating less meat, while the environment and animal welfare were factors for 35 and 33 per cent, respectively.
