Vegan Footprint Calculator
Estimate the greenhouse gas emissions from animal-based foods in your weekly diet and see how switching to plant-based alternatives lowers your footprint.
Beef or lamb portion (~120 g cooked).
Chicken or turkey serving (~120 g).
Farmed fish or seafood portion (~120 g).
Milk, yogurt, or cheese equivalent per serving.
One large egg (~60 g).
Use 52 for a full-year estimate or fewer weeks for shorter challenges.
Current diet emissions
23.5 kg CO₂e
Vegan alternative emissions
5.6 kg CO₂e
Annual CO₂ saved
17.9 kg CO₂e
Equivalent to 44.31 miles of driving avoided.
Food consumed
4.08 kg animal-based → 4.08 kg plant-based
How to Use This Calculator
Track your weekly servings
Log how many servings of red meat, poultry, fish, dairy, and eggs you typically consume.
Set the time frame
Choose how many weeks you want to evaluate—use 52 for a full year or shorter periods for vegan challenges.
Review emissions savings
Compare current diet emissions to vegan alternatives to see the climate benefits of plant-based choices.
Formula
Emissions = Σ(Weekly Servings × Weeks ÷ 52 × Emissionper serving)
Savings = Emissionscurrent − Emissionsvegan
Example: 4 servings of beef/week × 52 weeks × 3 kg/serving = 624 kg CO₂e. Plant-based beef alternatives (0.4 kg/serving) would emit 83 kg CO₂e, saving 541 kg annually.
Adjust the per-serving emission factors if you have more specific data for your foods or brands.
About the Vegan Footprint Calculator
Moving toward plant-based meals is one of the most effective lifestyle actions to cut carbon emissions. This calculator quantifies the difference, empowering you to set goals and track progress without needing complex nutrition software.
When to Use This Calculator
- Vegan or vegetarian challenges: Measure impact of Meatless Mondays or Veganuary.
- Diet planning: Balance personal health and climate goals with data-driven insights.
- Education: Demonstrate dietary impacts in sustainability workshops.
- Corporate cafeterias: Assess the benefit of offering more plant-based menu items.
Why Use Our Calculator?
- ✅ Evidence-based factors: Emission values grounded in peer-reviewed LCA research.
- ✅ Customizable: Adjust servings or duration to match your lifestyle.
- ✅ Actionable insights: Shows clear savings to motivate sustained change.
- ✅ Simple interface: No complex diet tracking required.
Common Applications
Meal prepping: Calculate potential savings before switching recipes.
Institutions: Evaluate the climate benefit of plant-forward dining programs.
Personal reporting: Add dietary emissions to your overall carbon footprint analysis.
Tips for Best Results
- Track actual servings for a week to calibrate your baseline accurately.
- Adjust emission factors if you buy certified low-carbon products.
- Combine this tool with a energy or transport calculator for a holistic footprint view.
- Revisit the calculator quarterly to update progress and refine goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do plant-based meats really emit less carbon?
Yes. Most commercial plant-based proteins emit 70–90% less CO₂ than beef. Adjust the plant emission factor if you have brand-specific data.
What about seasonal or local meat?
Local sourcing can reduce transport emissions, but production impacts still dominate. Use a lower emission factor if you have evidence of regenerative practices.
Does this cover nutrition?
No. This tool focuses on environmental impact. Pair it with nutrition guidance to ensure balanced diets when changing meals.
Can I include other foods like cheese or butter separately?
Yes. Use the dairy row and adjust the servings or emission factor to reflect specific products like cheese, butter, or ice cream.