Thousands of people across the UK are estimated to have taken part in Veganuary this year, which encouraged people to go vegan for the month of January to promote the benefits of a plant-based lifestyle.
One of the cities where Veganuary has been the most popular is Newcastle, according to new research by the marketing company Ceuta Group. This suggests that there has been a huge boom in business for vegan businesses in the North East.
The city where Veganuary was the most popular according to their research was Brighton with Norwich, Bristol, and Cardiff also ranking in the top ten.
Ceuta Group also discovered that there has been a 469% increase in Brits researching a plant-based diet overall. The UK is the 4th biggest country in Europe for people interested in veganism, according to their research.
Although most people think that veganism is all about animal welfare, Google Trends data reveals that the most popular reason for Brits switching to a plant-based diet is to reduce their carbon footprint.
Ceuta Group’s research reveals that there has been a 159% growth in the number of people exploring the environmental benefits of a plant-based diet. The second most popular motive was health, where there is a 61% increase. Animal welfare was only the third most popular with a 30% growth.
Adele Halsall, a vegan influencer who writes for Everything’s Peachy, said: “The UK government has just declared a climate emergency. A huge part of why we are in a crisis is down to animal agriculture, which is the second-largest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions after fossil fuels.”
“Many people, especially environmentalists, cannot conceivably go on eating animals knowing that it is largely responsible for the dangerous state we are in. Animal agriculture is responsible for 75-80% of all agricultural emissions, and cattle farming alone is responsible for 18% of greenhouse gas emissions and uses 25% of the world’s ice-free land. Plant crops on the other hand only produce 7% of emissions and use 12% of land.”
A greater number of brands are diversifying their product range to meet the demands of consumers who want sustainable, plant-based alternatives.
Annette D’Abreo, Ceuta’s managing director, said: “Consumers are paying more attention to what they put on their bodies and in their bodies when thinking about health, beauty, food and drink. This seismic change is forcing brand owners to think differently.”
“Sustainability, ethically sourced ingredients, plastic reduction and carbon footprint are hot topics facing brands, and healthier choices are now at the forefront of the shopper’s minds. With retailers understanding this important move just as much as consumers, it is their responsibility to stay ahead of the curve.”
