In een klimaatstudie voor de EC (2024), "sprong één scenario eruit.

In dit ‘LIFE-scenario’ werd uitgewerkt wat een verschuiving van dierlijke naar plantaardige eiwitten in het Europese dieet zou betekenen voor de kosten van klimaatbeleid. Het bleek een astronomische besparing van in totaal 2.600 miljard euro op te leveren, ten opzichte van de scenario’s waarin het klimaatdoel louter met behulp van technologie werd behaald."

https://decorrespondent.nl/16980/europa-moet-anders-gaan-eten-niet-uit-idealisme-maar-uit-veiligheidsoverwegingen/c8ae2cc6-4077-0313-0275-284c378d3217

In 2024, the EC did a study on how best to achieve a 90% emissions cut by 2040.

The LIFE scenario stuck out head and shoulders. Including a dietary shift toward vegetable protein achieved the climate goal for a cost that is 2.6 TeraEuro cheaper than getting there purely through technological means.

Co-benefits:
Food security
Biodiversity and nature conservation
Much reduced nitrogen problem
Less deforestation in the Americas
Healthier people

But nobody talks about it.

https://decorrespondent.nl/16980/europa-moet-anders-gaan-eten-niet-uit-idealisme-maar-uit-veiligheidsoverwegingen/c8ae2cc6-4077-0313-0275-284c378d3217

Sorry about the "TeraEuro".

If I called it trillion, Europeans would interpret that as 10^18 but Americans would think of 10^12.

The article, in Dutch, calls it 2.600 miljard which in American would be called 2,600 billion. Because beside the love for inflation American numerical language also likes to put commas between the thousands.

The Dutch is more logical tbh:
10^6 miljoen
10^12 = 10^(2x6) biljoen
10^18 = 10 ^(3x6) triljoen

https://onzetaal.nl/taalloket/biljoen-triljoen

(Not even getting into crores).

"Humanity can raise living standards, reduce inequality and keep global heating within a 2C rise, according to a sweeping vision for planetary survival.

The key [is] to address inequality and planetary habitability together. Without that twin approach, governments would risk repeating the mistakes that caused the gilets jaunes (yellow vest) protests in France against a carbon tax that would have hit working and middle-class people more than the rich."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/04/world-inequality-lab-equality-academics-planetary-survival

"Piketty said recent history showed the goals of the report were plausible. Countries such as Sweden and Norway were once extremely divided economically but had made rapid progress in reducing inequality because of government policies and a refocusing of investment toward education and health, while working hours in Europe have halved since the 19th century, which is in line with the goal envisaged in the report."

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/jun/04/world-inequality-lab-equality-academics-planetary-survival

With these things it's always interesting to read outside the English press. Here is a revealing interview with Piketty with a Dutch business newspaper.

Basically, the proposal is to make the whole world more like Europe but with less inequality and less climate change-inducing activity.

A few details below

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/06/04/stereconoom-piketty-om-de-planeet-te-leefbaar-te-houden-moeten-we-veel-minder-gaan-werken-a4929160?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=clipboard&utm_campaign=share&utm_term=share-modal&gift_token=4929160~1781261525~kph7e9dCQOS2MFAoyX-S2A~WnfUwIt_bmuMzNYYbw-wq0GTCXsdnHxOp68SJDOUER4

Tax the rich, and tax the big rich big.
Aim for € 60,000 (US $ 69k) annual income for everyone globally.
Ditch growth for the sake of growth.
Shift from polluting production to service sectors such as education and healthcare.
Eat less meat.
25 hour work week.
12 weeks of vacation per year.
Help developing countries develop so developed countries don't have a refugee "problem" that can be exploited by rightwing populists.
Curb global warming.

Sounds pretty good to me.

https://www.nrc.nl/nieuws/2026/06/04/stereconoom-piketty-om-de-planeet-te-leefbaar-te-houden-moeten-we-veel-minder-gaan-werken-a4929160?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=clipboard&utm_campaign=share&utm_term=share-modal&gift_token=4929160~1781261525~kph7e9dCQOS2MFAoyX-S2A~WnfUwIt_bmuMzNYYbw-wq0GTCXsdnHxOp68SJDOUER4

The Global Justice Report

https://globaljusticeproject.wid.world/global-justice-report/

Includes an interactive scenario explorer.