Does Climate Awareness Drive Dietary Shifts? Determinants of Meat Consumption

The intersection of climate change awareness and dietary behaviour is a critical area of research within food policy and economics. The food system is a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, and meat production is one of its most resource-intensive components. As public concern about climate change intensifies, interest is growing in how individuals translate environmental awareness into dietary action — particularly the reduction of meat consumption and the adoption of alternative proteins. Current studies show that this behavioural change is shaped by complex interactions between socioeconomic status, cultural identity, education, and individual health motivations. Digital communication and social media have also emerged as powerful forces in shaping public attitudes toward sustainable eating. Despite mounting evidence, significant gaps remain in understanding how environmental awareness connects to the economic rationales and policy measures that can support large-scale transitions toward sustainable diets.This Research Topic aims to investigate how climate awareness influences consumption patterns, market dynamics, and policy design related to meat and alternative protein sources. It seeks to generate interdisciplinary insights into the drivers of dietary shifts and their economic and social implications. The primary objectives are to:• explore how climate-conscious behaviour facilitates or inhibits sustainable food consumption;•examine the role of digital media and environmental communication in shaping sustainable food choices;• identify effective strategies that encourage consumers toward environmentally friendly choices;• examine how food policies can balance environmental sustainability with economic viability and equity.Key questions include: How do climate-focused messages shape consumer demand for meat alternatives? What socioeconomic factors enable the adoption of sustainable diets? How can policy frameworks reconcile climate objectives with market incentives?We welcome contributions addressing, but not limited to, the following themes:• Economic and policy perspectives on reducing meat consumption and promoting sustainable diets• Socioeconomic and cultural determinants of climate-conscious food choices• The impact of digital media, influencers, and environmental communication on dietary behaviour• Consumer acceptance, affordability, and accessibility of alternative protein sources• Policy instruments to promote sustainable and equitable food systems• Interlinkages between organic consumption, pro-environmental behaviours, and dietary transitions• The role of nutrition education and health framing in facilitating climate-conscious dietary change • Comparative and cross-national analyses of dietary transition policies and market responsesThis Research Topic welcomes submissions in the form of Original Research, Reviews, Mini Reviews, Perspectives, Policy Briefs, and Opinion articles. Topic editors: Baiding Hu, Meike Rombach, Raditha Hapsari Source: https://www.frontiersin.org/research-topics/82530/does-climate-awareness-drive-dietary-shifts-determinants-of-meat-consumption