Men contribute significantly more to climate-heating emissions than women, according to a European study that urges policymakers to consider gender in climate action strategies.
The findings show that men’s consumption habits, especially related to food and transportation, lead to 26% higher emissions than women’s. Even after adjusting for income, job type, and household size, an 18% emissions gap remained.
The research, led by the London School of Economics and the Institut Polytechnique de Paris, analysed data from more than 15,000 individuals. It revealed that red meat consumption and car use accounted for nearly all of the remaining gender gap in emissions after controlling for socioeconomic and biological factors.
If every adult man in France adopted the carbon intensity of the average woman, annual emissions from food and transport would fall by over 13 million tonnes, triple the yearly cuts targeted under France’s 2030 climate plan.
Red meat and cars drive the emissions gap
While red meat makes up just 13% of the average diet’s carbon footprint, it is responsible for 70% of the difference in food consumption between men and women. Transport-related emissions were also sharply skewed, with men more likely to drive alone, use private vehicles, and opt for more polluting cars.
By contrast, emissions from air travel were found to be similar across genders.
The study highlights that the gender gap is not only due to men eating more or travelling longer distances but also to how they choose to do so. Even among individuals with comparable incomes, men were more likely to maintain higher-emitting habits.
Culture, masculinity and climate Costs
Cultural associations between masculinity and high-emission goods like red meat and cars are deeply rooted, the researchers noted. Social science literature repeatedly links these items to male identity, suggesting that consumption is not just about need but also about self-image.
This may also explain why men in higher-income countries are generally less supportive of environmental policies and less likely to adopt sustainable behaviours. The researchers argue that if men feel a greater personal cost—social or practical—in cutting emissions, they may resist climate action more strongly.
Previous studies have consistently found that women, particularly in developed nations, are more likely to embrace climate-friendly behaviours and support green policies.
Climate Inequality Mirrors Gender Inequality
The emissions divide between men and women reflects broader climate inequalities. According to the United Nations, women and children are up to 14 times more likely to die in climate-related disasters. Women also account for around 70% of people displaced by such events, especially in low-income countries where they face systemic disadvantages, including limited mobility, resource access, and decision-making power.
“Climate strategies targeting meat consumption and car use may disproportionately impact men,” the researchers said. “Public messaging must consider social norms and gender roles, not just market incentives.”
A Shift in Policy Perspective
The study’s authors argue that policymakers must look beyond economic models to include behavioural and cultural dynamics when designing climate interventions. By acknowledging how identity influences consumption, governments may craft more effective, targeted campaigns to reduce emissions.
The researchers concluded that transforming male consumption habits could unlock massive climate gains, equivalent to the annual goals of national climate strategies, without sacrificing quality of life or economic productivity.
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