NatWest angers farmers by urging customers to buy less red meat (2024)

  • A 'carbon footprint tracker' uses transaction data based on spending habits

By Megan Howe

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NatWest has angered British farmers by urging its customers to buy less red meat and to replace dairy products with plant-based alternatives.

A 'carbon footprint tracker' on the bank's mobile app uses transaction data to advise customers on how to reduce their carbon footprint based on their spending habits.

The app recommends 'veggie Mondays' and 'choosing (mostly) plant-based' diets to customers as a way to reduce their greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.

It also suggests buying 'more second-hand clothes' and taking 'fewer flights'— and has thousands of users who can 'opt in' to receive a monthly carbon score.

But the National Farmer's Union (NFU) has criticised NatWest for promoting 'oversimplified' messages that 'miss the nuance of the path to a sustainable food system'.

Another recommendation was to 'Swap to plant-based milk' to reduce your carbon footprint by 6kg

The app also recommends eating 'vegetarian at home' to reduce your footprint by 40kg

David Barton of the NFU (pictured) said: 'People should be free to choose whatever diet they wish to follow, but it must be an informed choice'

The bank's app asks its users to try adding tofu and lentils to their diets as substitutes for eating meat. It also suggests they switch off tumble dryers, share car journeys and wash their clothes in cold water.

David Barton, chair of the NFU Livestock Board said: 'We have been working closely with NatWest about messaging on its 'carbon tracker' in its customer app. Some changes have been made that we are pleased about, including the buy British line.

'What we eat is a personal choice and should be made in an informed way. We are continuing our conversations with the bank about the nutritional and biodiversity benefits eating meat provides as currently the app's tracker only focuses primarily on greenhouse gas emissions.'

He added: 'We understand that the NatWest app is primarily focusing on [greenhouse gas] emissions, but the reality is that when making diet related recommendations, other factors such as nutrition, environment, and biodiversity must be presented.'

By 'swapping out beef', the app estimates an individual could reduce their footprint by 12kg, while eating 'vegetarian at home' could reduce your footprint by 40kg.

Following months of back-and-forth, the bank agreed to change the wording on its app, but the NFU believes this change is not significant enough.

Customers are no longer being advised to 'swap out beef' and to 'swap to plant-based milk', while a recommendation to buy local, British produce has been added.

NatWest comes under fire of the NFU for promoting 'oversimplified' messages that 'miss the nuance of the path to a sustainable food system' (stock)

The NFU says the British meat and dairy industry are among the most sustainable in the world, with UK beef emissions less than half the global average. Pictured: Farmers harvesting cauliflowers

But the app continues to recommend 'choosing vegetarianat home' and similar phrases, which has left the NFU 'disappointed'.

Mr Barton added: 'Despite this disappointment, I am pleased to see some changes being made to the 'carbon tracker' on its personal banking app, following NFU engagement with NatWest at a senior level over several months.

'I am also pleased that conversations are still ongoing between the NFU and NatWest on how best to communicate the benefits of meat to the bank's customers.'

The NFU says the British meat and dairy industry are among the most sustainable in the world, with UK beef emissions less than half the global average.

NFU President Tom Bradshaw said: 'It is positive to see NatWest's willingness to learn, and we are committed to continuing to work with the banking sector to ensure they fully understand and work alongside the agriculture sector when it comes to reducing emissions and supporting resilient, sustainable businesses.'

A NatWest spokesman said: 'At NatWest, we have championed farming for nearly 300 years and we are one of the largest lenders to the sector, committing £6.7bn of funding to support farmers to fund climate and sustainability related projects.

'The transition to a low carbon economy is a topic of interest to many customers and sectors, including farming and agriculture.

'We will continue to support our customers in their sustainability journeys. The carbon tracker is an optional feature that customers have told us is valuable, but we always listen to stakeholder feedback and continue to look for ways to improve.'

The NFU has been contacted by MailOnline for further comment.

NatWest angers farmers by urging customers to buy less red meat (2024)

FAQs

NatWest angers farmers by urging customers to buy less red meat? ›

NatWest has angered British farmers by urging its customers to buy less red meat and to replace dairy products with plant-based alternatives. A 'carbon footprint tracker' on the bank's mobile app uses transaction data to advise customers on how to reduce their carbon footprint based on their spending habits.

Why should you eat less red meat? ›

Research shows that people who eat red meat are at a higher risk of death from heart disease, stroke or diabetes. Processed meats also make the risk of death from these diseases go up. And what you don't eat also can harm your health.

Does eating less red meat help the environment? ›

Eating less meat can help reduce pressure on forests and land used to grow animal feed, which in turn protects biodiversity, the earth's ecosystems, and people living in poverty who are bearing the brunt of climate change. Eating less meat means eating foods that are plant-based rather than those that are animal-based.

Why is red meat bad for your colon? ›

For example, when a chemical in red meat called haem is broken down in the gut, N-nitroso chemicals are formed and these have been found to damage the cells that line the bowel, which can lead to bowel cancer. These same chemicals also form when processed meat is digested.

What happens to your body if you eat red meat everyday? ›

Red meat and processed meat

Eating too much processed meat and red meat probably increases your risk of bowel (colorectal) cancer. Processed meat can also be high in salt and eating too much salt can increase your risk of high blood pressure.

Would eating less meat be good for the earth? ›

Researchers at the University of Oxford in the UK have found a positive relationship between reducing meat consumption and decreasing consumers' environmental impact.

Is eating chicken better than red meat for the environment? ›

Is eating chicken instead of red meat better for the environment? In terms of raw emissions, red meat is the most polluting of all foods. All animals killed for red meat produce more emissions than birds (although farmed prawns and fish produce more emissions than pigs).

Should we stop eating meat to save the planet? ›

It contributes not only to global warming but also causes direct environmental pollution. People who eat a lot of meat can help fight the climate crisis by reducing or quitting meat consumption altogether. Even substituting other meat for beef would considerably reduce greenhouse gas emission.

Why is red meat considered unhealthy? ›

Red meat contains saturated fats, which Hwang describes as fats that are solid at room temperature. While she notes that the body needs fat, too much saturated fat can increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Meats that are high in saturated fats are also high in calories.

Why is red meat more unhealthy than white meat? ›

However, white meat has fewer calories and less protein and iron than red meat. Saturated fat and cholesterol content: Red meat contains higher low-density lipoprotein (LDL) levels, sometimes known as “bad cholesterol,” and saturated fats than lean white meat.

Why is processed meat bad for you? ›

Processed meats are meats that have been preserved by smoking or salting, curing or adding chemical preservatives. They include deli meats, bacon and hot dogs. Eating processed meats increases your cancer risk. Unfortunately, when these processed meats are preserved, cancer-causing substances form.

Is red meat better for you rare? ›

Rare Steak Lowers Your Cholesterol

Grass-fed beef contains Omega-3 fatty acids. The rarer the steak the higher your chances are of reaping the benefits of these fatty acids. Despite their name, fatty acids are helpful with lowering cholesterol and reducing the risk of heart disease.

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