Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests

TruthLens AI Suggested Headline:

"Study Reveals Gender Gap in Greenhouse Gas Emissions Linked to Car Use and Meat Consumption"

Car use and meat consumption drive emissions gender gap, research suggests analysis cover image The Guardian 8.1
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Original Article Source: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/14/car-use-and-meat-consumption-drive-emissions-gender-gap-research-suggests
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TruthLens AI Summary

Recent research indicates that cars and meat consumption are significant contributors to a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, with men emitting 26% more greenhouse gases than women in France. This study analyzed data from 15,000 individuals and revealed that after adjusting for socioeconomic factors like income and education, the gap narrows to 18%. A major finding of the research is that the consumption of red meat and reliance on cars accounts for nearly all of the remaining 6.5-9.5% difference in emissions. The study also noted that there was no observable gender gap in emissions from air travel. Ondine Berland, an economist and co-author of the study, emphasized that traditional gender norms, particularly those associating masculinity with high meat consumption and car usage, significantly influence individual carbon footprints. This underlines how deeply ingrained cultural perceptions affect environmental impact and behavior regarding climate change.

The researchers also pointed out that while men generally require more caloric intake than women, their consumption of food, particularly red meat, is disproportionately higher. Furthermore, previous studies have shown that men's spending habits contribute to 16% more emissions compared to women, despite similar expenditure levels. Marion Leroutier, another co-author, noted that the carbon footprint difference between genders in food and transportation parallels the emissions disparity between high-income and lower-income individuals. The study suggests that these gender differences in emissions may explain why women express greater concern about climate change. It posits that the higher personal cost of reducing emissions for men may lead to a reluctance to confront the climate crisis. However, the researchers call for more investigation into whether women’s heightened climate concerns influence their greater likelihood of adopting environmentally friendly practices in their daily lives.

TruthLens AI Analysis

The recent study highlights an intriguing link between gender and greenhouse gas emissions, particularly through the lenses of car usage and meat consumption. By analyzing data from a significant sample size in France, the research reveals that men emit substantially more greenhouse gases compared to women, mainly due to their transportation habits and dietary choices. This raises important questions about societal norms and their implications on environmental issues.

Implications of Gender Norms

The findings suggest that traditional gender norms, which associate masculinity with car ownership and red meat consumption, are significant factors contributing to the observed emissions gap. This correlation underscores the need to challenge these norms to promote more sustainable behaviors across genders. The concept of masculinity tied to certain consumption patterns could be a focal point for advocacy aimed at reducing carbon footprints.

Socioeconomic Factors and Emissions

Controlling for socioeconomic variables reveals that the emissions gap is reduced but still present, indicating that higher income levels, which often correlate with increased consumption, play a role in this disparity. The study points out that even when calorie intake and travel distances are accounted for, men still exhibit higher emissions, suggesting that behavioral changes are necessary to bridge this gap.

Public Perception and Awareness

This research may aim to raise awareness about the environmental impact of gendered consumption patterns. By highlighting the stark differences in emissions between men and women, the study encourages a broader discussion on how societal expectations influence individual choices. This could lead to greater public engagement in sustainable practices and policies aimed at reducing overall carbon emissions.

Potential Manipulative Aspects

While the study presents valuable insights, one might argue that it could be perceived as manipulative if it solely focuses on gender as the primary cause of emissions without considering other contextual factors. The language used in the article emphasizes responsibility on individual choices rather than broader systemic issues, which could divert attention from necessary structural changes in policies and industries that contribute to climate change.

Overall Trustworthiness of the Study

The study's findings, based on a large sample size and rigorous analysis, lend credibility to the conclusions drawn. However, it is crucial to approach the implications carefully, considering the complexities of gender, socioeconomic status, and environmental impact. The research is a valuable contribution to the discourse on climate change but should be viewed as part of a larger conversation that includes various factors influencing emissions.

In summary, the article sheds light on an often-overlooked aspect of climate change discussions — the intersection of gender and environmental impact. By addressing these issues, it encourages society to rethink consumption patterns and aim for a more equitable approach to sustainability.

Unanalyzed Article Content

Source URL: https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2025/may/14/car-use-and-meat-consumption-drive-emissions-gender-gap-research-suggests

Cars and meat are major factors driving a gender gap in greenhouse gas emissions, new research suggests.

Men emit 26% more planet-heating pollution than women from transport and food, according to a preprint study of 15,000 people inFrance. The gap shrinks to 18% after controlling for socioeconomic factors such as income and education.

Eating red meat and driving cars explain almost all of the 6.5-9.5% difference in pollution that remains after also accounting for men eating more calories and travelling longer distances, the researchers said. They found no gender gap from flying.

“Our results suggest that traditional gender norms, particularly those linking masculinity with red meat consumption and car use, play a significant role in shaping individual carbon footprints,” said Ondine Berland, an economist at the London School of Economics and Political Science and a co-author of the study.

Research into gender gaps is often plagued by difficult decisions about which factors to control for, with seemingly independent variables often confounded by gendered differences. Men need to eat more calories than women, for instance, but they also eat disproportionately more than women. They also have higher average incomes, which is itself correlated with higher emissions.

Previous research from Sweden has foundmen’s spending on goods causes 16% more climate-heating emissionsthan women’s, despite the sums of money being very similar.

Marion Leroutier, an environmental economist at Crest-Ensae Paris and a co-author of the study, said: “I think it’s quite striking that the difference in carbon footprint in food and transport use in France between men and women is around the same as the difference we estimate for high-income people compared to lower-income people.”

The most powerful actions a person can take to cut their carbon pollution include getting rid of a petrol car, eating less meat and avoiding flights.

But efforts to challenge car culture and promote plant-based diets have provoked furious backlashes from pundits, who perceive it as an attack on masculinity. The term “soy boy” has been used by far-right figures including the US vice-president,JD Vance, and the self-described misogynist influencer Andrew Tate to present progressive men as weak.

Soy is a common protein source in vegan cuisine, but three-quarters of the world’s soya beans are fed to animals to produce meat and dairy.

The French researchers suggested the gender differences in emissions could explain why women tend to be more concerned about the climate crisis, arguing the greater personal cost of reducing their emissions could cause men to avoid grappling with the reality of the climate emergency.

But they added that greater climate concern could lead women to do more to cut their emissions. “More research is needed to understand whether these differences in carbon footprints are also partly due to women’s greater concern about climate change and their higher likelihood of adopting climate-friendly behaviours in daily life,” Leroutier said.

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Source: The Guardian