Plant-based meat needs public funding to scale. A culture war stands in the way

Just a few years ago, the alternative protein industry promised to revolutionize the way people eat burgers: They would still sizzle and bleed, taste great, but wouldn’t contain any meat. However, the arrival of this revolution has been delayed as plant-based meat and seafood sales have fallen in recent years. A report suggests that robust funding from various sources, especially the public sector, is crucial for the alt protein industry to scale. The report compares plant-based meat to electric vehicles, both designed as one-to-one replacements for their predecessors. Investing in alternative protein is key to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and combating climate change. More public funding could help drive innovation, scale manufacturing, and signal private investors to take the space seriously. Generating a compelling narrative to counter longstanding beliefs about meat versus plant-based foods is essential for the industry’s success.