EVALUATION OF THE ENVIRONMENTAL, NUTRITIONAL AND ECONOMIC IMPACT OF MILK AND PLANT-BASED BEVERAGES.

Amidst growing global concerns over sustainability, the imperative for sustainable agriculture has become increasingly important. This urgency is enhanced by an increasing awareness among consumers and policymakers, the demands of activists, and the questionable influence of dietary choices on environmental sustainability. Recognizing a critical gap in the literature, the study cited aimed to evaluate the sustainability of milk and the plant-based beverages soy, oat and almond within the South African milieu, by evaluating their nutritional profiles, environmental footprints, and affordability.

Central to the research was the development of an innovative sustainability model, the dairy index for the environment, economy and nutrition (DiEET), designed to provide a holistic assessment of the economic, nutritional, and environmental dimensions of milk and the plant-based beverages. The model revealed that milk has a superior nutritional and economic profile but requires enhancements to its environmental footprint. In contrast, the plant-based beverages, while offering an advantageous ecological profile, necessitate improvements in nutritional content and economic viability. The DiEET model is accessible from https://assetresearch.org.za/environmental-footprint-of-milk-and-plant-based-alternatives.

The study furthermore showed the complexity of achieving sustainability in the food system, highlighting the trade-offs between nutritional value, environmental impact, and affordability. Nevertheless, the model presents a comprehensive framework for assessing food-beverage sustainability, making a significant step towards the development of a more balanced and scientific justifiable approach to dietary recommendations. However, acknowledging the model's initial stage, the study also emphasized the need for further refinement and validation to enhance its scientific rigour and practical application.

Overall, the investigation challenged the prevailing one-dimensional approach in climate-aware consumer choices and policy-making, advocating for a more nuanced, contextually relevant perspective.