What the study found
People were generally more supportive of subsidies than taxes for policies to reduce meat consumption, and health-based justifications were generally more accepted than climate-based ones.
Why the authors say this matters
The authors conclude that understanding what drives public resistance, especially among vocal minorities, may help design effective interventions to promote sustainable and healthy food consumption.
What the researchers tested
The researchers used a cross-country survey of 10,513 people in the United States, Brazil, South Africa, Germany, Sweden, and India. They examined public attitudes toward different policy instruments for reducing meat consumption, including taxes, subsidies, and marketing bans, and compared responses to health- and climate-related framing.
What worked and what didn't
Subsidies faced less resistance than taxes, and health-based policy justifications were generally more accepted than climate-based ones. Public resistance was shaped by ideology, climate concern, and political trust, with stronger effects in the Global North.
What to keep in mind
The abstract does not provide detailed limitations beyond noting that resistance exists and that vocal minorities may be important. The findings are based on survey responses in six countries and on the policy instruments and framings included in the study.
Key points
- A survey of 10,513 people across six countries examined support for policies to reduce meat consumption.
- Subsidies faced less resistance than taxes.
- Health-based policy justifications were generally more accepted than climate-based ones.
- Public resistance was shaped by ideology, climate concern, and political trust.
- The effects were stronger in the Global North.
- The authors say understanding resistance may help design interventions for sustainable and healthy food consumption.
Disclosure
- Research title:
- Subsidies and health framing draw higher support for meat-reduction policies
- Authors:
- Erik Elwing, Niklas Harring, Sverker C. Jagers, Martin Persson
- Institutions:
- University of Gothenburg, Chalmers University of Technology
- Publication date:
- 2026-03-05
- OpenAlex record:
- View
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