The fifth edition of the National Week Without Meat & Dairy runs in the Netherlands from March 7-13, 2022. Launched in 2018, this annual sustainability campaign highlights how cutting back on meat benefits the climate. This year introduces '& Dairy,' recognizing dairy's significant environmental toll alongside meat. Participants are encouraged to skip both meat and dairy, exploring tasty plant-based alternatives.
In 2018, the Week Without Meat first spotlighted meat's climate impact for many Dutch people. Five years on, with shifts in food culture, organizers are advancing the initiative. Dairy production rivals meat in CO2 and water use. Thus, in 2022, '& Dairy' joins permanently, renaming it the National Week Without Meat & Dairy.
Core challenge: Go meat-free for a week to experience easy, delicious vegetarian meals. Now extended to dairy, promoting a balanced, plant-forward diet with veggie and plant-based swaps.
Skipping meat for a week saves an adult 101 liters of water, CO2 from 79 km driven, and 770g of meat over seven days. Ditching dairy too? Add savings of 150 liters water, CO2 from 121 km, and 3.2 kg meat/dairy [1]. Blonk Consultants calculated these via cradle-to-end-of-life LCA, using RIVM's latest food survey. Full report here.
This campaign aligns with rising awareness that daily animal products strain the planet. Isabel Boerdam, founder: "Adding '& Dairy' inspires more swaps. We've led on meat's impact; now dairy. Most know meat's toll—thanks partly to us—but dairy's is lesser-known. We're normalizing plant-based choices."
A non-profit effort backed by 78 food industry partners. Boerdam: "Our collective model funds the campaign; partners activate it uniquely. Together, national success."
Register at weekzondervlees.nl for tips, inspiration, and the March magazine.
