Billions of dollars have been pumped into the promise of a climate-friendly way of producing meat, but is growing a steak in a lab any better for the planet than rearing a cow on a farm?Supporters of the idea say it will dramatically reduce the impact of livestock, which is responsible for about 15% of the world’s planet-warming gases, as well as returning huge amounts of land to nature. But studies suggest cultivating meat in a lab might actually be worse for the planet, at least in the long-run – we put both claims to the test.Graihagh Jackson presents an update of a programme first broadcast in 2023.

Guests:Tasneem Karodia, co-founder of Mzansi Meat, in South Africa;John Lynch, postdoctoral research associate at the University of Oxford, in the UK;Nick Marsh, the BBC’s Asia business correspondent, in Singapore

Producer: Simon TulettResearcher: Matt ToulsonSeries Producer: Alex LewisEditor: China CollinsSound engineer: Tom BrignellProduction Coordinators: Debbie Richford and Sophie Hill