Butter vs. Margarine: Which Is More Climate-Friendly?

Recent data from the Federal Ministry of Food indicates a slight increase in butter consumption in Germany, with the annual per capita usage reaching 5.6 kilograms in 2025. While a staple in many diets, the production of this dairy product carries a significant environmental weight.

The Environmental Cost of Dairy

Butter is produced from churned cream, a fat-rich component of milk. According to the Federal Information Centre for Agriculture, producing a single 250-gram pack of butter requires approximately five liters of milk.

This high demand for milk contributes to a substantial climate footprint. Nils Rettenmaier of the Institute for Energy and Environmental Research Heidelberg (ifeu) notes that, per kilogram, the CO2e footprint of butter is larger than that of chicken or pork meat.

The term CO2e refers to CO2 equivalents, a standardized unit used to compare the climate impacts of various greenhouse gases, including methane and nitrous oxide. Rettenmaier explains that while more meat is consumed overall in Germany than butter, the emissions from butter are still clearly visible.

Did You Know? Producing just one 250-gram package of butter requires roughly five liters of milk.

Comparing Spreads: Butter vs. Margarine

Research from the ifeu suggests that plant-based margarines generally offer a more climate-friendly alternative. The study highlights significant differences in CO2e emissions per kilogram of product.

Butter: 9.0 kg CO2e
Butter light (40% fat): 5.1 kg CO2e
Full-fat margarine: 2.8 kg CO2e
Half-fat margarine: 1.7 kg CO2e

Mixed spreads, which combine butter and plant fats, fall in between, ranging from 6.6 to 7.2 kg CO2e per kilogram. Rettenmaier observes that the difference between these mixed products and pure butter is not as substantial.

Understanding the Ecological Footprint

The German Environment Agency (UBA) identifies several factors that negatively impact butter’s ecological balance. These include the vast agricultural land needed for cow feed and the methane produced during ruminant digestion.

manure contributes to nitrate contamination in groundwater, and the use of antibiotics can lead to the development of multi-resistant bacteria. The ifeu study considered these factors, alongside water, land, and phosphate footprints, across nearly 200 foods.

Expert Insight: Samantha Carter notes that while switching to plant-based spreads may reduce carbon emissions, the transition involves a complex trade-off between reducing greenhouse gases and preventing biodiversity loss caused by industrial monocultures.

The Margarine Dilemma: Not All Plants Are Equal

Claudia Müller of the German Nutrition Society (DGE) warns that margarine is not automatically a purely plant-based food. Some varieties may contain buttermilk, yogurt, or skimmed milk; only products with a “Vegan” seal are guaranteed to be free of animal ingredients.

Truth about butter margarine and dementia

the use of coconut fat, palm fat, and palm oil can be problematic. Müller points out that these are often grown in monocultures, which can lead to the deforestation of rainforests and significant loss of biodiversity.

To mitigate these risks, “Öko-Test” recommends looking for the RSPO sustainability label with the additions “SG” or “IP” on palm oil products. Rettenmaier suggests that choosing organic goods could further reduce environmental impact by improving animal welfare and eliminating pesticides.

Looking Ahead

As consumers become more aware of the CO2e measurements of their food, there may be a shift toward light or plant-based products to lower individual climate footprints.

A possible next step for environmentally conscious shoppers could be a stricter reliance on certified sustainable labels to ensure that the move away from dairy does not inadvertently support deforestation.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is meant by “CO2e” in the context of food?

CO2e stands for CO2 equivalents. We see a standardized unit of measurement that allows the climate impacts of different greenhouse gases, such as methane and nitrous oxide, to be compared with carbon dioxide.

Is all margarine a vegan alternative to butter?

No. Margarine can contain dairy ingredients like yogurt, skimmed milk, or buttermilk. To ensure a product is purely plant-based, consumers should look for the Vegan seal.

How can I identify sustainable palm oil in margarine?

Consumers are advised to look for the RSPO sustainability label with the specific additions “SG” or “IP,” which indicates the use of certified palm oil.

Would you consider switching your morning spread to reduce your carbon footprint?