How are we performing currently?
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision. Like land use, diet is a much more complex area than, say, renewable energy provision (which can be measured as a specific percentage of requirements). For this initial assessment we have taken the Zero Carbon Britain model (explained further below) and set out a rough set of steps towards achieving this. Further work will be needed to set out clearer goals and expectations.
The framework below sets out the criteria against which the current status can be assessed. Aspirational objectives are then set to encourage progress towards the vision. Like land use, diet is a much more complex area than, say, renewable energy provision (which can be measured as a specific percentage of requirements). For this initial assessment we have taken the Zero Carbon Britain model (explained further below) and set out a rough set of steps towards achieving this. Further work will be needed to set out clearer goals and expectations.
2021 Assessment
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
We have a problem with food in Dorset. Data from Public Health Dorset suggests we are close to UK averages for obesity, with 1 in 3 of Dorset’s Year 6 pupils recorded as overweight. Typically, we lead less-active lifestyles, burning less energy, while consuming around 16% more calories and 45% more protein than recommended. Across Dorset around 164,000 adults and 36,000 children engage in less than 30 minutes activity a week (or day for children)[2]. Our diet tends to be made up of more energy-based food (with fewer essential nutrients) and less fruit and vegetables (which are higher in beneficial nutrients and relatively low in energy).
As well as eating more than we need we are wasting nearly a third of all food produced. Across Europe it is estimated that the amount of food wasted could feed 200 million people. The total GHG emissions created from food waste is higher than the majority of individual country totals; in fact only China and the USA produce more emissions than food waste does.
The levels of climate change already anticipated will start to disrupt global food supplies over the next few decades, creating issues for our food security. Growing Through Climate Change[5] sets out the issues we face here in Dorset and considers how we can improve the county’s food security in a local climate which will feature hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters.
[2] https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s21577/Physical%20Activity%20Update%20-%20Appendix.pdf
[5] https://futurescanning.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/growing-through-climate-change-final.pdf
The problem with meat
Where are we now and what else do we need to know?
We have a problem with food in Dorset. Data from Public Health Dorset suggests we are close to UK averages for obesity, with 1 in 3 of Dorset’s Year 6 pupils recorded as overweight. Typically, we lead less-active lifestyles, burning less energy, while consuming around 16% more calories and 45% more protein than recommended. Across Dorset around 164,000 adults and 36,000 children engage in less than 30 minutes activity a week (or day for children)[2]. Our diet tends to be made up of more energy-based food (with fewer essential nutrients) and less fruit and vegetables (which are higher in beneficial nutrients and relatively low in energy).
As well as eating more than we need we are wasting nearly a third of all food produced. Across Europe it is estimated that the amount of food wasted could feed 200 million people. The total GHG emissions created from food waste is higher than the majority of individual country totals; in fact only China and the USA produce more emissions than food waste does.
The levels of climate change already anticipated will start to disrupt global food supplies over the next few decades, creating issues for our food security. Growing Through Climate Change[5] sets out the issues we face here in Dorset and considers how we can improve the county’s food security in a local climate which will feature hotter, drier summers and warmer, wetter winters.
[2] https://moderngov.dorsetcouncil.gov.uk/documents/s21577/Physical%20Activity%20Update%20-%20Appendix.pdf
[5] https://futurescanning.files.wordpress.com/2020/04/growing-through-climate-change-final.pdf
The problem with meat
Figure 1. GHG emissions from agriculture (from ZCB Rising to the Climate Emergency).
Agriculture is responsible for 10% of UK GHG emissions and 25% of global emissions, with some of the latter associated with the food we import into the UK. Around 80% of these emissions come from livestock farming, with the methane from cows and sheep accounting for more than half of UK agricultural emissions.
Figure 2: Food and diet model (from ZCB Rising to the Climate Emergency).
Emissions are only one part of the problem, however; 3 times more land is required for each unit of protein from beef than the equivalent for nuts and seeds and over 6.5 times more land is required than for other meat alternatives. Add the damage caused to the land by cattle and the subsequent run-off into our water system and it becomes clear that beef and dairy represent one the most environmentally damaging practices taking place in the UK and here in Dorset. Meat is not an essential part of our diet; all the benefits provided are available from other food sources. However, recognising the challenges making such a dietary change will create, the ZCB model we are proposing here does not seek to eliminate meat or dairy entirely.
Figure 3. Percentage contributions of different foods in the diet. (From ZCB - Rising to the Climate Emergency).
Figure 3 illustrates the recommended changes for each food type in the ZCB model. The net result of this at individual level is a diet that provides enough energy, is closer to Government-recommended balanced diets levels, and that reduces the amount of land required for meat production by 82% and for dairy by 65%. In other words, a diet that has a positive impact on our health, our land and our climate.
The challenge of changing diets
We know that while education plays a key role, messages such as ‘eat-less & move-more’ and ‘five-a-day’ have yet to be truly effective. Changes to a more sustainable diet are more complex and may be even more difficult to achieve, suggesting we will need a multi-dimensional approach. For this report, therefore, we have prioritised the environmental and community benefits, accepting that the outcomes have positive health benefits without overtly focusing on achieving these.
Over recent years there have been several Council-led or supported initiatives such as BCP’s Sustainable Food Cities, Access to Food Partnership and The Dorset Urban Food Project, although, to date, these have been far from transformational.
Within their CEE plans DC recognise most of the issues detailed above and identify 15 direct, indirect and influence areas which will “work towards reducing our carbon emissions output, food poverty and the level of waste produced”. Whilst these are all commendable, they need to be more action oriented. BCP’s plan does not reference ‘food’ explicitly but recognises some of the ancillary issues around waste.
At a community level, activity is much more inspiring. We have attempted to cover a good selection of this activity under Case Studies. The quantity and quality of community engagement in Bridport is worthy of specific reference here as the links between community growing, local farmers, distribution and addressing food poverty are particularly strong.
Current assessment
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
The challenge of changing diets
We know that while education plays a key role, messages such as ‘eat-less & move-more’ and ‘five-a-day’ have yet to be truly effective. Changes to a more sustainable diet are more complex and may be even more difficult to achieve, suggesting we will need a multi-dimensional approach. For this report, therefore, we have prioritised the environmental and community benefits, accepting that the outcomes have positive health benefits without overtly focusing on achieving these.
Over recent years there have been several Council-led or supported initiatives such as BCP’s Sustainable Food Cities, Access to Food Partnership and The Dorset Urban Food Project, although, to date, these have been far from transformational.
Within their CEE plans DC recognise most of the issues detailed above and identify 15 direct, indirect and influence areas which will “work towards reducing our carbon emissions output, food poverty and the level of waste produced”. Whilst these are all commendable, they need to be more action oriented. BCP’s plan does not reference ‘food’ explicitly but recognises some of the ancillary issues around waste.
At a community level, activity is much more inspiring. We have attempted to cover a good selection of this activity under Case Studies. The quantity and quality of community engagement in Bridport is worthy of specific reference here as the links between community growing, local farmers, distribution and addressing food poverty are particularly strong.
Current assessment
Having considered the current assessment documented above the report contributors have assessed the county’s current category as:
