Promoting plant-based milk

Encouraging plant-based diets among consumers is vital for reducing the environmental impacts of animal agriculture and helping achieve the climate commitments outlined in the Paris agreement.

Part of this transition includes substituting dairy milk with plant-based alternatives. This is because plant-based milk production is less environmental damaging. For example, compared to dairy milk, oat milk emits a third of the greenhouse gases, needs less than 10% of the land and requires a fraction of the water.

To help encourage plant-based milk consumption among students and staff at Plymouth Marjon University, a two-month pilot study was conducted where the default milk used in drinks at the university’s café (Barjon Café) was changed from dairy milk to oat milk. This meant that customers were given oat milk in their drinks unless they requested otherwise. Signs informing customers of this change were displayed in the café and all customers were asked if they had allergies before being served.

With intake increasing from 16.6% to 51.9% and the average carbon footprint per drink reduced by 25-34%.

These findings show the positive impact that changing café menu defaults can have on promoting plant-based diets. Adopting plant-based milk defaults in cafés could help increase plant-based milk consumption and reduce the environmental impacts of animal agriculture. Furthermore, in combination with other efforts, it may help institutions achieve their net zero targets.

If you have any questions, please contact Katie on major.k@pgr.marjon.ac.uk