People with the highest level of education across 165 countries consume diets that generate the most greenhouse gas emissions, Earth.com reported. Researchers divided the adult population of these nations into 72 distinct groups based on age, gender, length of schooling, and whether they lived in urban or rural areas. The study then determined the specific dietary needs required to feed each demographic group.
Urban men aged 15 to 34 with the highest level of education caused the largest impact on the climate. Producing food for this demographic generated an average of 5.7 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions per person each day. This daily total exceeded the average for the entire population by 44.8 percent.
By contrast, rural women aged 35 to 54 with the lowest level of education had the smallest climate impact. Food production for their daily diet caused 2.85 kilograms of greenhouse gas emissions per person. That amount is nearly half the rate recorded for the group with the highest emissions.
Dietary Differences and Global Averages
Over a full year, the difference between the highest and lowest emission diets amounts to approximately 1,030 kilograms per person. In diets with the greatest climate impact, plant-based products accounted for 62 percent of food weight. In diets with the lowest emissions, plant-based products made up 70 percent of total food weight.
On a global average, diets consumed by men generated higher greenhouse gas emissions than those consumed by women. Male diets produced 4.4 kilograms of emissions daily compared to 3.4 kilograms for females. Total emissions resulting from food production for urban populations were 55 percent higher than the overall global average.
Industrial Policies and International Treaties
In related environmental developments, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine restored mandatory greenhouse gas monitoring, reporting, and verification for industrial enterprises in 2025. Meanwhile, the United States officially withdrew from the Paris Climate Agreement.
