How green is your glass of milk, and should we move away from dairy?

Plant-based milks may generate less greenhouse gas emissions than cow's milk, but some are better for the environment than others

Picture: iStock 

The environmental case against cows' milk seems open and shut. A 2018 study by the University of Oxford found that producing one glass generated three times more greenhouse gas emissions than plant-based alternatives. It also required nine times more land.

The conclusion is obvious, says Sadhbh O’Neill, policy coordinator with Stop Climate Chaos, which campaigns to ensure Ireland does its fair share to tackle the causes and consequences of climate change.