Meat and dairy consumption, and environmental attitudes

Meat and dairy consumption, and environmental attitudes

Research has shown that a complex relationship exists between meat and dairy consumption, and environmental attitudes. We wanted to find out how these relationships played out amongst students. To do this, we mirrored research carried out by environmental charity Hubbub, whose research, amongst other findings, found key differences in attitudes and beliefs exist between different gender identities.

We collected student data in June 2025, with 1057 higher and further education students participating in our survey. Our findings revealed:

• 54% of respondents repoted eating about the same amount of meat as a year ago
• 46% said they would consider eting less meat in the future
• 50% agreed eating less meat and dairy is an effective way to reduce environmental impact
• 25% said they are currently making such dietary changes for environmental reasons

Throughout the report, we compare our findings to Hubbub’s polling which was conducted over four waves between May 2023 and November 2024, and captured a nationally representative sample of 12013 UK adults. For example:

• 35% of student respondents said they eat meat every day, compared to 26% of the UK general public
• Fewer students report reducing their meat consumption in the past year (24%) compare to UK general public (31%)
• 63% of students reported the main barrier stoppping them buying / eating less meat and dairy was the fact they enjoy eating these things, compared to 43% of UK general public

Download our report to read our full findings.