Beyond Energy: Why We Need a Consumption Transition to Decarbonise

Our objective is to clearly outline the importance of going beyond just energy transition and, therefore, also focusing on transitioning how we consume and manufacture products. While energy transition is a big talking point at many climate conferences, we need to shed light on the potential for decarbonisation with biotech and bioeconomy solutions that ultimately shift how we manufacture and produce what we eat, wear, and take as medicines.

The global decarbonisation market is expected to grow at 11.5% CAGR from 2023 to 2032, reaching $2.54 trillion by 2032. Is there a better manufacturing method that's less extractive, cleaner, and kinder to Mother Nature? We don't just need energy transition; we need consumption transition.

Reliance on Animals

The global economy's reliance on animals significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and climate change. Livestock farming alone accounts for around 14.5% of global human-induced emissions. Removing our reliance on animals and transitioning to animal-free alternatives can drastically reduce our carbon footprint and accelerate economic decarbonisation.

Animal-free food, materials, and ingredients have substantially lower carbon, land, and water footprints than animal-derived counterparts. For example, animal-free meat and dairy products can reduce emissions by 30–90%. Similarly, animal-free ingredients in cosmetics have a much smaller environmental impact.

The Dual Climate Opportunity

Investing in solutions like Yeastup (upcycled protein from spent brewer's yeast), Algama (ingredients from microalgae, which act as excellent carbon sinks), and Ingrediome (precision fermentation using cyanobacteria) can supercharge decarbonisation. These circular solutions leverage organisms that actively remove carbon, creating a double climate benefit.

• Plant-based and lab-grown meat alternatives can partially replace traditional livestock farming, which accounts for approximately 7.1 gigatonnes of CO2-equivalent per year (14.5% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions).
• Enhancing current forestry and agricultural practices could increase carbon sequestration by approximately 25%.
• Sugarcane genetically modified for biodiesel could yield around 6,700 litres per hectare — significantly higher than soybeans at approximately 500 litres per hectare.

Decoupling from animals opens up opportunities to utilise more sustainable agricultural practices that sequester carbon, improve soil health, and support biodiversity. This shift from industrial animal agriculture is crucial in meeting global climate targets and building a more sustainable, low-carbon future.

At Beyond Impact, we believe offering an alternative to climate financing is vital. As a race, we can decarbonise by changing our consumption patterns. The animal-free economy provides a great alternative. We truly believe we are on the cusp of a generational shift to decarbonise every aspect of our existence — cleaner, healthier, and kinder to people, planet, and animals.