How much CO2 is saved yearly by switching to non-dairy?

Switching to non-dairy products can significantly reduce your personal carbon emissions. Dairy production is a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, mainly due to methane produced by cows and the extensive land and water required for raising cattle. In contrast, plant-based milks have a much smaller environmental footprint.

CO2 Emissions Comparison

On average, producing a liter of cow's milk results in about 3.15 kg of CO2 equivalent emissions. Plant-based alternatives like oat milk and soy milk produce much lower emissions, around 0.9 kg and 0.98 kg of CO2 equivalent per liter, respectively​.

Water and Land Use

The production of dairy milk requires significantly more water and land compared to plant-based milks. For instance, a liter of dairy milk requires about 628 liters of water and 8.95 square meters of land, while soy milk needs just 27.8 liters of water and 0.66 square meters of land per liter​.

Methane and Environmental Impact

Methane, a potent greenhouse gas, is a major byproduct of dairy farming. Over a 20-year period, methane's warming potential is 84 times greater than CO2. By reducing or eliminating dairy consumption, you can help mitigate this impact​.

Practical Impact

By switching to plant-based milks, you can cut your personal emissions from milk consumption by more than half. If a typical person consumes around 50 liters of milk per year, switching from dairy to soy milk could save over 100 kg of CO2 annually​.

Adopting plant-based milks is a simple yet effective way to reduce your carbon footprint. Not only does it lower greenhouse gas emissions, but it also conserves water and land resources. Making this switch contributes to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly lifestyle.