#GoVegan

Sustainability challenge and related SDGs:  

Whether omnivore, flexitarian, vegetarian or vegan - each diet has a different impact on the climate, nature and our health.  

The environmental impact of meat production (rearing, killing, feed production) and consumption is more damaging to the climate than the cultivation and processing of fruit and vegetables and is responsible for almost 60% of all greenhouse gases from food production. Moreover, with its high use of pesticides and fertilisers as well as intensive land use, it drives the progressive loss of biodiversity and the pollution of water bodies.  

From a health perspective, the excessive consumption of meat can lead to serious diseases such as obesity, diabetes (type 2) or an increased risk of cardiovascular disorders. In addition, the use of antibiotics in industrial livestock farming leads to resistance to antibiotics in people, which means that the effect of medication (or medical treatment) is no longer as effective in sick people, and this can have severe consequences on the person concerned.  

Nutrition is a very personal issue that affects people in their everyday lives. Therefore, meat critics or vegan advocates often meet with rejection on this topic. However, it is not a matter of portraying a form of nutrition badly, but rather of considering a balanced eating habit that is good for the planet and for people, out of love for the environment and for one's own health.

Primarily impacted SDGs:  6, (12), 13, 15

Possible solutions and their contribution to achieving the SDGs

Responsible production and a shift to a diet (SDG 12) with a higher proportion of plant-based foods can significantly reduce the pressure of agriculture on the environment, protect aquatic life (SDG 6), reduce emissions from animal agriculture (SDG 13) and halt further biodiversity loss (SDG 15).  

Primarily related SDG Targets: 6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 12.1, 12.2, 12.3, 12.4, 13.1, 13.2, 15.1, 15.3, 15.5, 15.9

Investment Rationale and Growth Potential

Today, the vegan lifestyle is not just a trend, but a philosophy of life. The vegan industry caters not only to vegans, but also to a growing number of flexitarians who want to limit meat consumption to varying degrees and replace it with vegan offerings.  

Production of vegan products increased to 17% from 2020 to 2021 and will continue to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 9% in the future. This offers investors interesting opportunities to invest in a market with enjoyable alternatives.