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In a recent large-scale study in France, researchers found that men are responsible for significantly more greenhouse gas emissions than women. The key reasons? Men tend to drive more and eat more red meat. The study, which analyzed the habits of 15,000 people, revealed that men produce about 26% more emissions from food and transportation compared to women. Even after adjusting for differences like income, education, and calorie needs, the gap still stood at 18%.

This difference points to deeper lifestyle patterns tied to gender, suggesting that cultural habits and traditional norms play a major role in climate impact. The full study provides fresh insight into how everyday choices contribute to climate change and how gender identity may influence these decisions.

Driving and Diets: Major Sources of Emissions

When it comes to emissions, the study identified two main culprits: car use and red meat consumption. While it’s expected that men, on average, travel more and eat more due to body size and work-related needs, these factors only partly explain the difference.

The remaining 6.5% to 9.5% gap is still linked directly to habits—not necessity. Interestingly, air travel showed no significant difference between men and women, indicating that the key behavioral gaps are rooted in daily routines.

Gender Norms May Be Fueling the Problem

Experts believe that traditional gender roles influence men’s choices. For example, in many cultures, masculinity is often linked to car ownership and eating meat. These associations can make it harder for men to embrace low-emission lifestyles.

Ondine Berland, an economist from the London School of Economics, said that social pressure plays a big part. “Cultural ideas of what it means to be a man still encourage behaviors that are harmful to the planet,” she explained.

Marion Leroutier, co-author of the study and environmental economist at Crest-Ensae Paris, added: “The gender gap in emissions from food and transport is almost as wide as the gap between high and low-income individuals.” This shows that personal values and identity may matter as much as financial resources when it comes to carbon footprints.

Resistance to Change: Identity vs. Climate Action

Many climate experts agree that three of the most effective ways to lower emissions are:

• Driving less
• Eating less red meat
• Flying less

Yet, pushing for these changes often meets resistance. Some individuals, especially men, may feel that such actions threaten their identity.

Public figures have even mocked plant-based diets using gendered insults. Andrew Tate and U.S. Vice President JD Vance, for example, have used terms like “soy boy” to belittle men who adopt environmentally friendly diets. Ironically, most of the soy grown worldwide is used to feed livestock—not vegans.

This type of rhetoric may discourage men from taking climate action, even when they care about the environment. Experts suggest that confronting climate change might feel like giving up part of one’s identity, especially for men tied to traditional norms.

Women Show Greater Climate Concern

The study also highlighted that women tend to show more concern about climate issues and are often more willing to change their behavior. This could be a key reason why women, on average, produce fewer emissions.

Leroutier emphasized that more research is needed to explore how this concern turns into real change. But early findings suggest that cultural attitudes make a big difference.

What This Means for Climate Policy

The results of the study underline the need for climate policies that account for social and cultural factors, not just technical solutions. Efforts to cut emissions may benefit from messaging that avoids reinforcing gender stereotypes—and instead focuses on shared goals.

To truly lower emissions at scale, experts say society must make sustainable choices appealing and accessible to all genders. This includes breaking down old ideas about what it means to be a man or a woman—and promoting new narratives that tie identity to positive environmental action.