Climate change has become a pressing concern for many, with various groups and individuals claiming that a specific sector is responsible for the majority of global emissions. In recent years, a narrative has emerged that suggests cows and livestock are the main culprits behind the escalating climate crisis. However, this claim is greatly exaggerated and not supported by the scientific evidence.
The Contribution of Livestock to Climate Change
- According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change’s (IPCC) sixth assessment report, agriculture, forestry, and other land use contribute 22% of global emissions.
- The World Resource Institute estimated that ‘livestock and manure’ account for 6% of global emissions in 2022.
- The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) reported that the food system, including agriculture, accounted for 31% of global emissions in 2019, with livestock contributing 15%.
These figures demonstrate the significant contribution of agriculture to climate change, but they also highlight that livestock are not the sole drivers of the problem. With 69% of emissions attributed to other industries, it is clear that the narrative of ‘cows are killing the planet’ is an oversimplification of the issue.
Understanding Methane and Its Impact
Methane is often cited as the primary contributor to the warming effect of livestock. However, the scientific community recognizes that methane’s impact is often overstated.
“The current IPCC and widely accepted approach uses GWP100 (Global Warming Potential), which attempts to spread the warming impact of methane over 100 years while accounting for the short lifespan of the gas. GWP*(GWP star) is a method that claims to do this better than GWP100 but is not yet widely accepted or used. If and when it does become widely accepted, it will become more commonly used.”
Greenhouse gases (GHGs) contribute to warming the planet by trapping heat from the sun that is ordinarily reflected back out into space. If we increase the GHGs, we increase the amount of heat that stays in the earth’s atmosphere, increasing the global temperature. Stabilizing methane emissions today will still result in a warming effect in 100 years, as we are still emitting methane, regardless of the breakdown of methane to carbon dioxide every 12 or so years.
Reducing Methane Emissions
There are several ways to reduce methane emissions from livestock. Improved efficiencies across the agricultural sector can bring about positive benefits to climate and productivity. Farms can explore different pathways to reduce emissions, including genetics, feed additives, and other technologies.
| Approach | Benefits |
|---|---|
| Improved efficiencies | Positive benefits to climate and productivity |
| Genetics | Helps to reduce methane emissions |
| Feed additives | Helps to reduce methane emissions |
As an industry, we must recognize that climate science is complicated and there are ever-changing areas of research. We should strive to reduce emissions in our agricultural practices where possible and adapt to the changing climate by building resilience in our businesses.
Conclusion
The narrative that ‘cows are killing the planet’ is an oversimplification of the issue. While livestock do contribute to climate change, they are not the sole drivers of the problem. By understanding the science behind methane and its impact, we can work towards reducing emissions and mitigating the effects of climate change.
