As a devoted dog owner, the environmental impact of our beloved companions’ diets is a topic that deserves serious consideration. While the title of this discussion might be “Pets,” my focus is firmly on dogs. Our canine friends consume a staggering amount of protein annually, much of which comes from industrial meat production. This has a significant environmental cost. Research indicates that U.S. cats and dogs contribute to 25-30% of the environmental impact associated with meat consumption nationwide. With an estimated 163 million cats and dogs in the U.S., their food consumption is comparable to that of all the people in France, presenting a substantial opportunity for positive environmental change.
One company making strides in this area is Petaluma, a plant-based dog food startup. Caroline Buck, Petaluma’s Co-Founder & CMO, highlights that consumers are willing to pay a premium for carbon-neutral pet food, though this premium is constrained by price sensitivity, which is generally lower for pet food than for human food. By exclusively using plant-based ingredients, Petaluma effectively eliminates 70%-80% of the carbon footprint associated with traditional dog foods. Buck is confident that dogs, being omnivores similar to humans, can thrive on a plant-based diet.
Petaluma operates with a goal of zero net carbon emissions. Their strategy involves minimizing emissions from the entire lifecycle of their products – from growing ingredients to manufacturing and shipping – and then purchasing carbon credits to offset any remaining emissions. They have helpfully published a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) for their dog food, offering transparency into their environmental impact.
The quest for 100% carbon-negative pet food is an ongoing journey, with a diverse range of companies, both large and small, employing various strategies to tackle this challenge. While not all brands mentioned have achieved carbon neutrality or negativity, each represents a step towards reducing the emissions within the pet food industry. As consumers who own pets, we can actively support this movement by making conscious choices. After all, our dogs are part of our families, and they, like us, benefit from a healthier planet. This exploration has been a wake-up call, and I’ve personally placed my first order with Petaluma, eager to see how Carli and Sadie, my own dogs, will react to their Roasted Peanut Butter & Sweet Potato Dog Food.
Beyond Dog Food: Sustainable Pet Products
The commitment to sustainability extends beyond just the food we provide. For instance, Shār Trail Mix, a brand based in Austin, has achieved climate-neutral certification for its delicious and healthy trail mixes. These products are gluten-free, vegan, paleo, and crafted from whole-food, organic ingredients responsibly sourced from small family farms.
Shār has also revolutionized its packaging by eliminating plastic entirely. Their beautifully designed packaging is a testament to their commitment to environmental responsibility.
Consumer Feedback and Further Considerations
Feedback from consumers and industry professionals continues to shape the conversation around sustainability in the food sector. Sterling Crew shared a link to his paper on food waste, emphasizing the importance of circular economy principles in combating climate change.
A thoughtful inquiry from a business professional highlighted the staggering $400 billion food waste figure in the U.S., prompting reflection on personal consumption habits and broader systemic factors. The curation of resources aimed at understanding and addressing global challenges is greatly appreciated by many.
For those interested in delving deeper into the broader context of sustainable food systems and agriculture, several resources offer valuable insights:
- Mark Lewis’s exploration of regenerative agriculture and food systems on the Investing in Regenerative Agriculture podcast.
- An article from Civil Eats discussing the underestimated carbon footprint of food systems.
- The Conversation’s piece on the need for clear rules in carbon farming to make agriculture more climate-friendly.
- A report from The Independent on investors urging governments to reduce agricultural emissions, framing cows as the “new coal.”
- Forbes examines the funding frenzy and SPAC listings in the indoor growing industry, questioning its financial viability.
- The Washington Post tells the story of a Black family farm fighting racism and climate change in agriculture.
- Green Queen features technology using fungi to aid farmers in tackling climate change.
- Bloomberg Opinion explores how farmers are getting creative in the face of drought, with regenerative agriculture offering a way to mitigate extreme weather effects.
- The Fern reports on the Senate passing the first-ever climate mitigation bill for agriculture.
- Startup Daily covers the construction of a plant in South Australia to produce methane-reducing cattle feed using seaweed.
- The Economist discusses the growing popularity of seaweed farming in New England.
- Nocarbon presents a case study of carbon-neutral milk production in Brazil.
- CNBC explains how farming techniques can trap carbon dioxide in soil, offering financial benefits to farmers.
- The Spoon highlights innovations in addressing food waste.
The views expressed in this newsletter are solely those of Paul Lightfoot and do not represent those of any affiliated organizations. This newsletter does not accept advertising. You can learn more about this newsletter at https://paullightfoot.substack.com/about.
