University:
Boston University
Course:
CAS BI 108 | Biology 2
Academic year:

2022
Views:

383

Pages:

14
Author:

Clint W.

Climate Mitigation Opportunities in Alternative Proteins Copyright 2020 Good Food Institute. All rights reserved. Animals are fundamentally inefficient protein producers 9 ENERGY CALORIES 25-30 ENERGY CALORIES = = 1 11% FOOD CALORIE CONVERTED 1 3-4% FOOD CALORIE CONVERTED Implications: lower agricultural inputs across the board (fertilizer, water, etc.) and more judicious use of resources, plus less impact on environment (nutrient runoff, etc.) Cycling calories through animals is equivalent to >90% food waste in production. The climate implications are profound Even the lowest-carbon forms of animal protein cause higher GHG emissions than even the most carbon-intensive plant proteins. Figure at right is per 100g protein. Plant-based meat offers 30-90% reduction in GHG. Yet despite decades of growing awareness, global meat demand shows no sign of slowing Source: Our World in Data; FAO statistics Alternative proteins present a tractable, viable solution PLANT-BASED Photo courtesy of Beyond Meat FERMENTATION Photo courtesy of Ecovative Design: Atlast Food Co. CULTIVATED Photo courtesy of Memphis Meats Alternative proteins have hit an inflection point Morningstar Farms | Incogmeato Before the Butcher | Uncut Nestle | Awesome Burger & Grounds Impossible Foods | Grounds Hormel | Happy Little Plants Smithfield | Pure Farmland Tyson | Raised & Rooted Perdue | Chicken Plus Don Lee Farms | Burger Morningstar Farms | Plant-based burger Hormel | Applegate Blend Burger Lightlife | Plant-based meat line Boca Foods | Sun Burger Gardein | Frozen line This is a global phenomenon How can we accelerate this trend? What are the bottlenecks? How can we accelerate this trend? What are the bottlenecks? Alternative proteins are handicapped not by consumer demand but by R&D resources and manufacturing capacity Key market challenges that federal efforts can address 1) Supply chain constraints Alternative proteins will require novel crop development, innovation in ingredient fractionation and processing methods, and new predictive tools for adaptability and robustness to shifting availability of — and demands for — various biomass fractions within food and agriculture and within the broader bioeconomy. 2) Production capacity limitations Production capacity is one of the most significant constraints facing the alternative protein industry. Producers lack the right types and quantities of ingredients and other inputs, and production equipment is highly specialized and requires uncommon operational expertise. 3) Information gaps Because the alternative protein sector is still nascent, gaps in fundamental research areas and poor market information lead to redundant efforts and high barriers to entry. gfi.org | Page 10 Opportunities to improve upon sustainability and scalability along the entire value chain TechnologySpecific Value Chain Plant-based Crop Characterization and Optimization Raw Material Optimization Fermentation Host Strain Dev. and Engineering Feedstock Purification from Hosts Fermentation Tanks Cell Line Development Cell Culture Media Scaffolding Bioreactors Branding and Marketing Safety, QA, and Regulatory Product Dev. (Flavor, Color, Texture) Manufacturing (Facility Design, Optimization, etc.) Financing and Business Services End Products / New Product Lines Brokerage & Distribution Cultivated Meat TechnologyPlant-based Agnostic Fermentation Value Chain Cultivated Meat Source: GFI analysis; value chain design inspired by Wild Type’s Food for Thought Medium post. Production Method (Extrusion, Shear Cell, etc.) Foodservice Retail gfi.org Interdisciplinary research centers and manufacturing innovation institutes are mission-critical An interagency initiative to prioritize alternative protein-relevant research across many technical domains and to launch a manufacturing innovation institute could dramatically accelerate this sector. Alternative protein development will benefit from increased investment (both public and private) Global R&D investment into renewable energy in a single year (2011): about $250bn Total combined R&D into meat alternatives, summed across all time: about $1bn We need to create the alternative protein industry’s golden era. $2.9bn $147.4bn SOLAR $83.8bn WIND Source: Global Trends in Renewable Energy 2012 $10.6bn $6.8bn $5.8bn BIOMASS BIOFUELS HYDRO $0.2bn MARINE GEOTHERMAL gfi.org GFI’s role in supporting the innovation ecosystem GFI is a 501(c)(3)nonprofit working to create a sustainable, healthy, and just food system through three key areas of work: Our international affiliates work as a force multiplier, bringing the expertise of our departments to the rest of the world. Science and Technology Bridging gaps in scientific research, funding, and talent across the alternative protein sector. Corporate Engagement Helping the food industry and investor communities put delicious, affordable alternative proteins on every menu and in every food retailer. Policy Advancing government investment in sustainable proteins as well as fair regulation and legislation. GFI officially earned GuideStar's 2019 and 2020 Platinum Seal of Transparency—obtained by less than 1% of nonprofits—reflecting our commitment to maximum impact, efficiency, and inclusion. United States Brazil India Israel Europe Asia Pacific 100+ staff in 6 countries