The Exponential Roadmap Initiative (ERI) welcomes Beyond Meat as a new member, and recognises two of the company’s products as qualifying climate solutions under ERI’s Climate Solutions Framework, developed by ERI in collaboration with Oxford Net Zero and experts from business, NGOs and finance.

Following a thorough assessment, Beyond Burger® IV and Beyond Steak® Tips have been confirmed to meet the framework’s criteria. To qualify, a product or service must demonstrate at least 50 % lower emissions compared to the current market average, while being compatible with the global 1.5°C ambition and, when established options are replaced, accelerate the transition toward a net zero economy.

Beyond Meat becomes the second food and beverage company, after Oatly, to join ERI’s Climate Solutions cluster.

Transforming the food system

The global food system is both a major driver and a primary victim of climate change, accounting for roughly one third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Shifting diets toward plant-based alternatives can play an important role in reducing these emissions while supporting a more resilient food system.

Life cycle assessments show that the recognised products significantly outperform conventional alternatives:

• Beyond Burger® IV has a 70 %* lower carbon footprint compared to the US-average beef patty
• Beyond Steak® Tips have a 65 %* lower carbon footprint compared to the US-average beef patty

Plant-based foods typically require fewer natural resources than animal-based products and can reduce emissions, land use and water consumption associated with food production.

Ethan Brown, CEO and Founder of Beyond Meat, said:

“We believe in the power of plants to fuel our bodies and to heal the planet. We are dedicated to building a more sustainable, more humane food system, and I am thrilled that ERI has recognised Beyond Burger and Beyond Steak for their role in tackling the climate crisis, which has been part of our mission since day one.  Beyond Burger and Beyond Steak deliver tasty, clean plant protein, while offering a climate solution at every bite.”

Johan Falk, CEO and Co-Founder of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative, added:

“We are pleased to welcome Beyond Meat as a member of the Exponential Roadmap Initiative. Through the Climate Solutions Framework, we highlight solutions that enable the transition to an earth aligned economy by delivering significantly lower life cycle emissions than mainstream alternatives. Beyond Meat’s innovation in plant-based food products shows how scaling climate solutions can go hand in hand with decarbonising higher-emitting alternatives.”

The Climate Solutions Framework

The Climate Solutions Framework, developed by ERI together with Oxford Net Zero, provides a science aligned framework that qualifies climate solutions and validates solution companies’ ambitions while enabling growth. It helps businesses, investors and policymakers identify products and services capable of delivering meaningful emissions reductions at a global level.

To qualify, solutions must deliver at least 50 % lower emissions per functional unit compared to the current market average and demonstrate that they support broader environmental and social boundaries. Following detailed analysis by ERI, Beyond Burger® IV and Beyond Steak® Tips were confirmed to meet these requirements. The framework aims to create actionable market signals for capital, procurement and policy to accelerate the transition to a net zero economy.

Scaling climate solutions

Founded in 2009, Beyond Meat develops plant-based meat products designed to replicate the taste and texture of animal-based meat while reducing environmental impact.

Beyond Meat’s membership in ERI will enable deeper collaboration on scaling climate solutions and advancing transition strategies across the food system. ERI will continue assessing additional products in the company’s portfolio in the coming year.

*Qualification applies only to U.S. products (Beyond Burger IV and Beyond Steak). Based on a full lifecycle perspective, including value chain greenhouse gas emissions assessment conducted by Beyond Meat, Inc.