What is the protein transition and how can it be conceptualised?

This systematic review had three key aims:

• It aimed to harmonise definitions of the concept of the protein transition, and interpretations thereof.

• It also attempted to identify the key challenges with the current food system that the protein transition is posited to help address.

• Finally, one objective was to identify the narratives comprising a variety of solutions to achieve this protein transition.

The study focussed on these aims within the context of Organisation for Economic co-operation and development countries (OECD) as they typically have high levels of meat consumption.

Method

33 studies were included based on the defined eligibility criteria using the terms ‘protein transition’ OR ‘protein shift’ OR ‘sustainable protein consumption’ OR ‘sustainable protein production’. A coding process was used based on the existing knowledge of the literature. The coded text was then organised into thematic tables allowing further analysis of the above research objectives. This was conducted independently of the research team to minimise internal biases.

Key findings (350)

What really is protein transition?

Twenty articles provided a definition of protein transition. A majority (n=16) defined the protein transition from a consumption perspective.

“ A shift from a diet rich in animal proteins to one richer in alternative protein intakes”: the agreed definition in these papers.

Only one article mentioned reduced total protein intake. And only two explicitly included a production dimension in their definition, stating the transition should allow a reduction in consumption and production.

Three main challenges the protein transition aims to address

1. Reducing environmental impacts: all articles mentioned the environmental impacts of protein production and consumption. They identify that current patterns exceed safe zones identified by planetary boundaries.

2. Healthy diets for a growing population: nearly half cite this despite a focus on OECD countries. This challenge is frequently identified as two pronged: a. Producing enough food in a resource-finite environment b. Addressing health impacts of overconsuming animal-based proteins like red and highly-processed meats.

3. Preventing the ethical problem of animal welfare in industrial livestock systems: one third of articles explore this.

Addressing these challenges was presented in a variety of ways

A consumer narrative aims to shift dietary habits to alternative proteins, with consumers and civil society as the primary initiators of change. This change is catalysed through information campaigns, fiscal policies, nudging and other persuasive techniques. Some focus on adopting alternative dietary habits like vegetarianism while some focus on substitutions. An emphasis on behavioural and cultural approaches.

The technocentric narrative focuses on solutions aimed at alternative protein changes through research, technology and infrastructure. This is at the level of the value-chain with primary initiators including industry stakeholders. This narrative also proposes alternative proteins for both humans and animals. Often papers recognise, this narrative is likely insufficient to achieve transition in isolation.

A final narrative identified is the socio-technological narrative which focusses of transformation of the whole-food protein regime. Change comes from consumers but also from actors across the food-system. This narrative is explicit in the need for a ‘less and better meat’ approach and explores new regulatory frameworks.

Conclusion

The protein transition is being increasingly referenced in the literature, but definitions remain inconsistent. The narratives identified in this review establish clear links between the protein transition and a range of ‘One Health’ concepts and begin to quantify to what extent each solution contributes to the targets. They provide guidance amongst the complexity of what is inherently a system-based problem.