Potential to reduce GHG emissions and land use by substituting animal-based proteins by foods containing oat protein concentrate

The potential to reduce GHG emissions and land use of the diet by replacing animal-based protein sources with foods containing oat protein concentrate (OPC) was analysed by life cycle assessment (LCA) of six different scenarios of daily food intake of one adult. The OPC was used in the preparation of bread and pasta and as a substitute for milk in yoghurt resulting in a higher protein content of these foods. The present study showed, that dietary-related GHG emissions and land use can be reduced by substituting animal-based proteins by foods containing oat protein. If the oat protein (OPC) enriched food items substitute animal based protein sources in the diet proportionally, GHG emission from the diet could be reduced by 8% and land use by 14%. However, if the OPC enriched food items are used specifically to replace intake of all beef and some pork, GHG emissions from the diet could be reduced by 13% and land use by 26%. Thereby, use of new plant-based protein ingredients in diets has a considerable potential to mitigate climate change and reduce land use. Even though the presented scenarios are extreme, they clearly demonstrate the potential that OPC food products made it possible to replace some of the animal-based protein with this plant-based protein source.