Korean Meat Consumption Emits as Much Carbon as 21 Flights to Jeju

A new report from Climate Solutions reveals a stark reality: the meat on our plates carries a significant carbon footprint, comparable to frequent air travel. The average South Korean's annual meat consumption generates greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to 21 flights between Gimpo and Jeju. This analysis, the first of its kind from a consumer perspective, breaks down emissions from farm to fork for beef, pork, and chicken.

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The greenhouse gas emissions from the meat consumed by one South Korean per year are estimated to be approximately 1.115 tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (tCO₂-eq), which is similar to the level of taking about 21 one-way flights between Gimpo and Jeju.

While pork is consumed in the largest quantities, beef emerges as the primary culprit in terms of climate impact. A kilogram of domestic beef emits about 4.4 times more greenhouse gases than pork and over 10 times more than chicken. This is largely due to the methane produced by ruminant digestion, extensive feed production, and longer farming cycles associated with cattle.

This report underscores a critical information gap. Consumers can easily check price, origin, and grade, but readily accessible data on a product's carbon emissions is virtually nonexistent. Climate Solutions argues this makes it difficult for individuals to grasp the connection between their dietary choices and the escalating climate crisis. The organization urges the government to establish a standardized, national database for livestock product life-cycle assessments and translate this into consumer-friendly information systems.

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Beef accounts for over 619 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions, making up more than half of the total emissions, despite pork constituting half of the consumption volume.

From a South Korean perspective, this report is a wake-up call. While international coverage might focus on global emissions, this study brings the issue home, directly linking everyday dietary habits to environmental impact. It challenges the convenience of meat consumption and calls for greater transparency and government action. The findings are particularly relevant given the rising meat consumption in Korea, which has increased by over 30% in the last decade, with beef consumption seeing a significant surge.

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The government must establish a national database for livestock product life-cycle assessments standardized by stage, such as feed production, raising, slaughter, and distribution, and create a systematic foundation for converting this into consumer-friendly information.