Denmark’s ambitious plan to boost plant-based foods. | FT Rethink

Government Initiatives & Funding - The Danish government launched the Action Plan for Plant-based Foods in 2023 to improve public health and address climate emissions from the agriculture sector [3][4] - A government fund worth approximately $190 million (DKr1 billion) supports the Action Plan, aiming to improve land health and promote a shift towards plant-based diets and production [4][6] - Farmers growing plant-based protein crops for human consumption are eligible for bonuses from the fund [7] Market & Economic Impact - Research indicates that the plant-based food market in Denmark could be worth up to $2 billion and create 27,000 jobs by 2030 [9] - A significant majority of initial grants from the fund have been allocated to projects focused on boosting demand for plant-based food [8] Environmental Considerations - The agriculture sector, dominated by meat and dairy, accounts for about a third of Denmark's climate emissions [5] - A 2021 study suggests that producing plant-based foods generates approximately half the emissions of meat-based products [5] Consumer Behavior & Normalization - Normalization strategies, such as serving more plant-rich meals in public and private organizations, are being explored to encourage consumers to adopt climate-friendly diets [14][15] - Avoiding terms like "vegan" or "vegetarian" and instead using descriptive names for plant-based dishes can increase their appeal and sales [16] Innovation & Production - Companies are developing alternative seafood and meat products using fungi, fermentation, and plant-based proteins to address the taste challenge and provide appealing alternatives [9][10][11] - Some companies disagree with the fund's initial focus on minimally processed foods, arguing that processing is necessary to create better-tasting and more appealing meat replacements [12][13] International Influence - Other countries, including Germany and South Korea, have followed Denmark's lead and launched similar funds, potentially impacting diets globally [17]