Despite McDonald's Australia spending over a billion dollars on local produce in 2023, including a vast array of common ingredients from 80-million kilograms of beef (36-million for Australia & 44-million for the rest of the world) , 20-million kilograms of chicken, 52 million litres of fresh milk and 79 million eggs, the company's significant omission of plant-based analogues raises questions about its alignment with global sustainability goals.
As the world grapples with the urgent need to mitigate climate change impacts, the absence of environmentally friendly, plant-based alternatives in such substantial procurement highlights a crucial gap in McDonald’s sustainability endeavors.
McDonald’s has established several initiatives aimed at reducing its environmental footprint, like pledging to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 and launching its first sustainability flagship in Australia. This store operates entirely on renewable energy and features 25 core sustainability innovations, including recycling Happy Meal toys and facilitating electric vehicle charging.
As well, the company's broader commitment includes utilising renewable energy, improving waste management, and advancing sustainable agricultural practices across its supply chain. These efforts, while commendable, highlight the potential for McDonald’s to further integrate plant-based products into its menu, which could significantly reduce its ecological impact, considering the high carbon footprint associated with traditional animal products.
The average emissions from beef can be as high as 35 kilograms of CO2 equivalents per kilogram. In comparison, plant-based proteins like peas have a dramatically lower footprint, more than 60 times less than beef. Studies suggest replacing half of the meat and dairy ingredients with plant-based alternatives could cut agricultural and related land-use greenhouse gas emissions by nearly a 33%. Would McDonalds consider utilising hybrid beef and plant-based ingredients as a first step?
Source: ID 318831382 | © Billy Blume Drive-thru menu
By not incorporating plant-based ingredients, which are generally more sustainable than their animal-based counterparts, McDonald’s may be missing an opportunity to lead by example in the fast-food industry's shift towards more 'Earth Friendly' practices.
As climate consciousness grows among consumers, integrating plant-based options could not only align McDonald’s with global sustainability targets but also cater to an evolving market demand for environmentally responsible choices.
For more information of comparisons CLICK HERE.
ENDS:
Comments