Greenhouse gas mitigation in the livestock sector

Scientists have found that the global livestock sector, which supports about 1.3 billion producers and retailers around the world, can significantly reduce carbon emissions without impacting the economic and social benefits it delivers.

The recent study, published in the journal Nature Climate Change, estimates that livestock could account for up to half of the mitigation potential of the global agricultural, forestry and land-use sectors, which are the second-largest source of emissions globally. It is described by lead author Dr Mario Herrero, from CSIRO, as the most comprehensive analysis to date as it considers both the supply and demand sides of the industry.

The study finds that we can get the best mitigation potential from the livestock sector if we take an integrated view of land use and practise change that considers the whole of agriculture and forestry, as well as looking at dietary patterns and how we address the needs of global nutrition. As explained by Dr Herrero, “Livestock has a role in a healthy and sustainable diet, and the sector has an important economic and social role, particularly in developing countries.

“We need to balance these health outcomes and the economic and social benefits, while also capturing the mitigation potential the livestock sector can offer.”

A Fulani boy in Niger herds his family’s animals. © ILRI/Stevie Mann

Sustainably intensifying livestock production is one way this could be done, with management practices such as rotational grazing and dietary supplements working to increase livestock production, promote carbon sequestration in rangelands and reduce greenhouse gas emissions at the same time.

“We need to increase the adoption of these different strategies by making sure that we have the right incentives,” Dr Herrero said.

“If appropriately managed with the right regulatory framework, these practices can also achieve improved environmental health over and above the greenhouse gas benefits delivered, for example, through improved ground cover and soil carbon.”

Top image caption: This curious pig in Kiboga District (Uganda) will generate between 100,000 and 150,000 Ugandan schillings ($39 and $58) for the household at once. © ILRI/Kristina Rösel