GRSB calls for United Nations to base its response to climate change on sound science

The Global Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (GRSB) has written to the relevant UN bodies and their communications departments to voice their concerns over the misleading claims contained within the United Nations (UN) Act Now campaign, specifically regarding the "Eat Less Meat" initiative. This includes the messaging on the #ActNow website associated videos and social media campaign.  One of the elements being promoted as part of this is a reduction of meat consumption.

GRSB point out that “given the UN's role in supporting sustainable development for all people, and the fact that livestock contributes to many of the identified sustainable development goals, it is paramount that the UN ensures a nuanced discussion on livestock sustainability that is based on facts. Social media posts vilifying livestock damage this discussion, especially when claims are not supported by research.”

The letter goes on to acknowledge where the sector has issues but also to highlight how the livestock sector is critical to human health and global food and nutritional security. The letter concludes by saying “we were disappointed to see the UN pro moting false information about the environmental impact of the meat industry, including beef, which is detrimental to global goals of feeding a growing population adequately and sustainably.  We openly and warmly invite the UN to an initial discussion on how we can work together in the future to accomplish these shared visions for the world."   Read the full letter