Rewilding and opportunity cost

Last reviewed: January 9, 2026

Summary

Reduced demand for grazing and feed crops can free land, creating opportunities for rewilding, restoration, and carbon sequestration. The magnitude depends on policy and economics, but the biophysical potential is large.

Evidence Summary

Opportunity-cost analyses quantify potential food and land gains. Evidence quality: High Limitations / nuance: Land doesn’t rewild automatically; it requires incentives and governance. Bottom line: Land-sparing is one of the strongest arguments for plant-forward diets.

Supporting Evidence

Sources:

Shepon A, et al.. Opportunity cost of animal-based diets exceeds all food losses. (2018)

Sources:

Shepon A, et al.. Opportunity cost of animal-based diets exceeds all food losses. (2018)