Session 5
Alt Protein Policy Scenario
Alt Protein Policy Scenario
Recently, a study published by UC Davis claimed that cultured meat emits 25 times more carbon than tradition beef. Similarly, an article was published in The Counter in September 2021, which caused a stir in the alternative protein community. It strongly questioned the feasibility of cultivated meat at scale. This conclusion is rooted in a Techno-Economic Analysis (TEA) conducted by respective organisations to assess the scale-up economics of cultivated meat. Separately, a TEA commissioned by GFI has indicated that cost-competitive cultivated meat is possible. We must also remember that there is inherent uncertainty built into predictions made by TEAs - they make calculations grounded in currently existing technologies and thus cannot account for radical technological innovation.
Public policy plays a major role in this conversation, especially the ones focused towards sustainability and food safety. As governments and law makers around the world are slowly getting used to the idea of cultivated meat, and the recent publication from WHO on safety of Cultivated Meat shows a growing international acceptance, it still is a highly debated policy topic. In this session, you will read about the current state of policy for alternative proteins, especially towards fermentation-derived and cultivated meat. Your learnings and point-of-views will be then discussed with your cohort to understand if alternative proteins are indeed an important tool to tackle the issues of current food system and how public policy is important to achieve the impact alt protein promises.
Core Material
You are required to read/watch these and think about the discussion prompts ahead of the discussion.
2022 State of Global Policy Report on Alternative Proteins
GFI - Lecture (50 min)
Global regulatory landscape for alternative proteins
GFI - Article (10min)
What the Media Keeps Getting Wrong About That Cultivated Meat Study
Sentient Media - Article (5min)
GFI statement addressing TEAs
GFI - Article (10min)
Exercise
GFI’s Alternative Protein Solutions Database details a number of research, business, and ecosystem bottlenecks in the alternative protein space. Take some time to browse the database and identify three opportunities that might be the most relevant to you. How can public policy help in addressing these opportunities? Write a short reflection essay and discuss the main points with your cohort.
Discussion Prompts
Are there other research avenues that might have more longevity than start-ups with VC funding?
How might externalised costs (greenhouse gas emissions, animal welfare etc.) be priced into conventional meat over the coming years?
Reflect on how developed countries vs developing countries may react to the introduction of alternative proteins in their markets. What would be the best way to convey the importance of alternative proteins to the governments and influence their stance on the topic?
How do you think the assumptions used for TEAs of alternative proteins can be harmonised?
In reference to the exercise, which three opportunities did you identify?
Of these, which has the highest potential impact?
Which is best suited to your current skillset?
Who could you collaborate with to complement your skillset?
Debate
Your facilitator will pick groups of participants to argue for and against. You will have ~10 mins in breakout rooms in your teams to prepare your arguments before beginning the debate. This week's debate will be in support of/against the following statement:
“We believe that cultivated meat will make up >25% of the global meat market in the next 20 years.”
Further Resources
Lab grown meat is supposed to be inevitable. The science tells a different story – The Counter
Rational optimism for cultivated meat - Swartz (2021)