A recent study of 15,000 people in France reveals that men emit significantly more greenhouse gases than women, primarily due to lifestyle choices such as driving more and consuming higher amounts of red meat. The study found that men’s emissions from food and transportation were 26% higher than women’s, though this gap narrowed to 18% after adjusting for income, education, and calorie needs. Even with these adjustments, a persistent gap of 6.5% to 9.5% remained, attributed largely to men’s reliance on cars and meat-heavy diets.
The Gendered Emission Gap
The study highlights that men’s higher carbon footprints are largely influenced by their behaviors around transportation and food consumption. Specifically, driving longer distances and consuming more red meat are the main drivers of their greater emissions. The researchers found that even after accounting for income, education, and other variables, men continued to contribute more to carbon emissions than women. The study also found no significant gender difference in air travel habits, indicating that the primary factors driving the emission gap are related to day-to-day activities.
Social Norms and Climate Impact
The research also explored how societal expectations shape these behaviors, suggesting that traditional gender roles play a significant role. In many cultures, driving cars and eating meat are often linked to masculinity, creating a social pressure that encourages men to maintain these high-emission habits. Ondine Berland, a researcher from the London School of Economics, noted that these deeply ingrained social norms strongly influence men’s behaviors and contribute to their higher emissions.
Marion Leroutier, co-author of the study and economist at Crest-Ensae Paris, pointed out that the gender emission gap is similar in size to the gap between wealthier and poorer individuals. This suggests that social and economic factors intersect in shaping emissions, with certain behaviors being more prevalent among specific gender and income groups.
Cultural Resistance to Change
Despite the known benefits of lowering emissions—such as eating less meat, flying less frequently, and driving more sustainable vehicles—many men remain resistant to making these lifestyle changes. Public figures like JD Vance and Andrew Tate have been vocal critics of plant-based diets, often deriding them as “unmanly” or “soy boy” diets. This cultural resistance to change is problematic, as it could hinder efforts to reduce emissions. Ironically, much of the soy produced globally is used to feed livestock, which contributes to even higher emissions from the meat industry.
The study suggests that climate change may require men to challenge long-standing cultural norms, which could explain some of the resistance to more sustainable behaviors. Women, in contrast, tend to show greater concern about climate change and are generally more willing to adjust their habits to reduce their environmental impact.
The Need for More Research
Leroutier emphasized that further research is needed to better understand the link between climate awareness and behavior change. The study also calls for deeper exploration into how cultural expectations and gender roles influence individual actions, especially regarding their environmental impact. Understanding these dynamics could be key to finding more effective ways to address the gender divide in emissions and encourage more sustainable behavior across all demographic groups.
While societal norms have traditionally led to higher emissions from men, the study suggests that shifting these norms could play a critical role in reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions. As awareness of climate change grows, addressing these deeply ingrained behaviors may be an essential part of global efforts to mitigate its effects. Researchers continue to examine how shifting cultural attitudes and encouraging sustainable lifestyles for all genders can help bridge the emission gap and support broader environmental goals.