The globe must produce more meat if widespread hunger and nutrient deficiencies are to be tackled in developing countries, according to the UN Food and Agriculture Agency.

Even if richer nations consume less animal protein, a new report from the UN believes increased meat production is a must to feed billions in the developing world.

The report titled "Food Systems’ Road Map to 1.5C," released at the COP28 summit in Dubai, was billed as an extensive plan to tackle hunger and bring greenhouse gas emissions from the agrifood industry within targets set by the Paris climate agreement.

UN Food Agency’s chief economist Maximo Torero explained that types of protein, micronutrients, fat, and carbohydrates found in meat, eggs, and dairy products are simply not adequately found in plant-based foods. Speaking to the Financial Times, he said, “There’s a need to produce more [meat and dairy] because there’s an enormous amount of countries that are under-consuming those micronutrients and those products.” However, the economist did admit that “there are some parts which are over-consuming and therefore having health issues.”

The influential report explained that livestock production should be intensified in nations with a record of efficient production, such as New Zealand and the Netherlands, to help feed the globe. Mr. Torero was concerned that cuts to production in developed nations would likely push production to other areas of the world where efficiency was poorer and emissions were likely to be greater per kilo.

The report has already brought alarm to environmentalists who are calling for a curbing of intensive livestock farming in a bid to cut emissions. Nusa Urbancic, chief executive of the Changing Markets Foundation, a campaign group, said the report suggested the UN agency had “completely bought the narratives of the meat industry.”

According to media reports from COP28, the meat and dairy industry representatives at the summit numbered 120, including a team of 11 from the meat group JBS led by Chief Executive Gilberto Tomazoni. Agribusiness broadly was represented by some 340 delegates, UN data showed.