OBJECTIVES: Humanity must reduce greenhouse gas emission (GHGE) in order to decrease impacts of climate change. Knowing that one third of anthropogenic GHGE is generated by our food system we should deliver individual efforts to transform towards a more sustainable diet. The aim of this study was to explore the general knowledge about environmental protection to investigate current food consumption behaviour to assess attitude towards individual diet change among Hungarian adults.

METHODS: 308 adults participated in the online, anonymous, non-representative questionnaire between 22/07/2023 and 25/08/2023 which consisted of 3 parts: sociodemographic data, questions about sustainability as well as their existing and optional eating habits. JAMOVI 2.3.28 statistical software was used to process data (p≤ 0.05).

RESULTS: In their self-evaluation 80.5% (n=248) of respondents were partially driven and 14.0% (n=43) were fully driven by sustainability. 79.9% (n=246) had knowledge about phrase ‘sustainable food consumption’. Reducing food waste (81.5% n=251) is the most prevalent existing method of sustainable food-related behaviour while avoiding meat and dairy products (37.1% n=114) is the least frequent one. The following groups showed less signs to accept changes in their diet: men compared to women (p=0.002); age group 60+ compared to younger ones; people with lower living standards compared to ones with higher income (p=0.004). 23.7% (n=73) tends to spend more on sustainable food but this intention is lowering in parallel with varying levels of living standards (p<0.001). Sustainability of existing diet and knowledge of environmental aspects are increasing the level of acceptance in transforming eating habits (p<0.001).

CONCLUSIONS: As we experienced an incomplete knowledge among adult population, we recommend efficient educative and motivational measures to steer a change towards higher flexibility and more sustainable food choices. Additionally, to make sustainable diet affordable for lower income households, governmental regulations should be initiated.