Global Livestock Emissions

Katherine Kim

Global livestock emissions accounts for 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, more than the entire transportation sector. FAO’s most recent estimate, released in 2022, uses the lower values and concludes that in 2015—five years more recently than other estimates—livestock production generated 6.2 billion metric tons CO2.

Livestocks contributes significantly to methane emissions due to a natural biological process called enteric fermentation. Cows, sheep, goats and other ruminant livestock have microbes in their digestive systems that decompose and ferment the food they eat, and methane is a byproduct of this fermentation process. One cow can produce up to 264 pounds of methane every year, and it’s estimated that in total, enteric fermentation from ruminant livestock is responsible for 30 percent of global anthropogenic methane emissions.

Although global livestock emissions is lower than previous ones, this does not indicate that emissions have been falling. FAO cautions that their latest estimate of livestock’s carbon footprint is not comparable to their previous estimates. In fact, other data from FAO reports that emissions from enteric methane and manure rose 4% and 5%, respectively from 2015 to 2020. With current food trends and production, emissions from the food system alone would likely push global warming beyond 1.5° C, even if all non-food system emissions were immediately eliminated. Consumption of dairy and meat, particularly from cattle, is expected to account for over half of future warming associated with the food system, with emissions from meat production alone contributing 0.2–0.44°C of warming by the end of the century.

In addition, meat production requires substantial water, land, and energy. The livestock industry requires significant amounts of water for hydration, irrigation, and processing activities. It is estimated that 15,000 liters of water to produce 1 kg of beef. With water scarcity becoming a growing global concern, the high water footprint of meet production only contributes to this issue. Implementing water-efficient practices in agriculture and exploring alternative protein sources can help reduce the water demand associated with meat production.

The environmental impact of meat production is a large contributer to climate change, deforestation, water scarcity, pollution, and biodiversity loss. According to Medium, some mitigation efforts can include improving livestock management, promoting alternative proteins, supporting sustainable agriculture, reducing food waste, and imprlemetn policies to regulate meat production. With all these practices put into place, it is possible to reduce emission and ensure a healthier planet.

Works Cited

“The Environmental Impact of Meat Production.” Medium, https://medium.com/@MAMeer841/the-environmental-impact-of-meat-production-da5bfe8d56d0.

“How Livestock Farming Affects Climate Change, Explained.” Sentient, https://sentientmedia.org/how-does-livestock-affect-climate-change/.

“Livestock Don’t Contribute 14.5% of Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions.” The Break Through, https://thebreakthrough.org/issues/food-agriculture-environment/livestock-dont-contribute-14-5-of-global-greenhouse-gas-emissions#:~:text=In%20short%2C%20livestock%20production%20appears,land%2C%20or%20land%2Duse%20change.

“New FAO report maps pathways towards lower livestock emissions.” FAO, https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/new-fao-report-maps-pathways-towards-lower-livestock-emissions/en.

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