Have Yourself a Very Plant Based Christmas – One in Five Plan to Ditch Meat Entirely This Christmas Day

New research reveals modern Brits will be ditching turkey, bread sauce and pigs in blankets, for a plant-based Christmas lunch this year.

Of the 2,000 polled by Treedom, one in three (29 percent) are ditching meat because it is better for the environment.

Overall, a quarter (28 percent) believe the traditional turkey lunch could soon go out of fashion, as the nation adopts a more sustainable attitude.

A fifth (21 percent) said cutting down on meat this Christmas Day will make them feel less guilty.

A third (32 percent) will be pouring on vegan gravy, while one in four (24 percent) will be enjoying Quorn, plant based ‘turkey’ slices and rice dishes, instead of a traditional roast with all the trimmings. A quarter (23 percent) are planning to have a classic nut roast or a pasta dish.

In fact, four in ten (43 percent) admit they’ll be hosting an altogether more environmentally friendly Yule this year, with one in ten planning to buy eco subscriptions to offset their carbon footprint next year.

A reusable Christmas tree (30 percent), wrapping up warm and turning the heating down (30 percent), no single use plastics (27 percent) and not sending any Christmas cards (25 percent) are some of the ways in which Brits are addressing their environmental impact.

When it comes to gifting, 17 percent will only be buying second hand gifts, a sixth (16 percent) won’t be buying any plastic gifts, 12 percent will be making their own gifts and seven percent will plant trees instead of buying gifts.

Asked why they are opting for a more environmentally friendly Christmas, third (34 percent) are trying to be more mindful about their consumption, while one in three (33 percent) believe that it is a critical time for the planet and they are worried for its future. A third (29 percent) agree that more people will be thinking about their impact on the environment this Christmas.

32 percent of Brits are thinking about the future lives of their children and grandchildren, while a quarter think the world’s animal population deserve a safe place to live. One in six (16 percent) are opting to have a more sustainable Christmas so they can occasionally treat themselves at other times in the year.

Anna Weston, head of development in UK & Ireland for digital tree planting platform, Treedom, who commissioned the study commented:

“Christmas is a key moment for us to remember the importance and impact our choices have on the planet and communities around the world, and it’s great to see that so many Brits want to do their bit for the environment during the festive period from reducing meat consumption to crafting their own presents.

“Caring for our planet has risen in popularity among Brits of all ages – not just with the younger generations – with many opting for eco-friendly decorations and gifts this year. With the climate crisis worsening, it’s clear that people are looking to make changes to do what they can to combat this and make a difference for families all around the globe.

“However, it’s important to remember that these good habits aren’t just for Christmas and we should aim to incorporate them into our daily lives as we enter a new year. Small things like recycling more, buying second-hand items and signing up to eco subscriptions are simple and cost effective changes many of us can take into 2023.”

Celebrating with the climate in mind – other changes Brits are making

A third (30 percent) will be reusing wrapping paper, with a quarter (24 percent) making their own mince pies.

A fifth (22 percent) are planning to make their own Christmas cards, decorations (20 percent) and presents for family and friends (18 percent).

One in ten (13 percent) are going to make their own advent calendar, wrapping paper (13 percent) and a tenth are even making their own Christmas tree.

In a further bid to reduce their impact on the environment, a quarter (23 percent) of Brits say they will be going without certain items this festive season. Lots of presents (34 percent), a new Christmas outfit (29 percent), a real Christmas tree (25 percent) and Christmas lights (23 percent) are the main festive ingredients being left behind.

Continuing this commitment, a quarter (26 percent) of Brits will be pledging to be more sustainable as part of their New Year resolutions. Four in ten (44 percent) will aim to recycle more, while a third (33 percent) will buy more second-hand items and not consume single use plastics (30 percent).