Generated Summary
This document is an issue brief published by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) focusing on the intersection of livestock and climate change. The brief examines the global impacts of livestock systems, including their contribution to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, and explores potential mitigation and adaptation strategies. The research approach involves an assessment of the livestock sector’s environmental footprint and its effects on global warming, and analyzing the role of livestock in the livelihoods of vulnerable populations. The methodology includes an examination of the sources of GHG emissions from livestock, the impact of climate change on livestock keepers, and the potential for reducing emissions through various technological, policy, and behavioral interventions. The scope encompasses a global perspective, with particular attention to the developing world. The brief also considers the role of livestock in food security and livelihoods, and how climate change impacts these aspects. It emphasizes the need for balanced approaches that address environmental concerns while supporting vulnerable communities dependent on livestock.
Key Findings & Statistics
- Livestock systems occupy 45% of the global surface area.
- The livestock industry is valued at least $1.4 trillion.
- Livestock industries and value chains employ at least 1.3 billion people globally.
- Livestock directly support the livelihoods of 800 million poor smallholders in the developing world.
- Livestock products contribute 17% of calories and 33% of protein consumed globally.
- Consumption levels of milk and meat in the developed world are at least five times higher than in the developing world.
- Livestock contribute 18% of global anthropogenic greenhouse-gas (GHG) emissions.
- Methane from animals accounts for 25% of GHG emissions from livestock systems.
- Carbon dioxide from land use and its changes accounts for 32% of GHG emissions.
- Nitrous oxide from manure and slurry accounts for 31% of GHG emissions.
- At least 90% of the planet’s 1.3 billion poor are located in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
- 60% of the poor depend on livestock for some part of their livelihoods.
Other Important Findings
- Livestock are an important source of nourishment.
- Growth in poultry and pig production is projected to satisfy rising demand, though growth in milk and beef production will be important in parts of Africa.
- Increased consumption of livestock products reduces mortality and improves cognitive development of children.
- Keeping livestock is an important risk reduction strategy for vulnerable communities.
- Livestock are important providers of nutrients and traction for crop production.
- Climate change will have major impacts on poor livestock keepers and on the ecosystem goods and services on which they depend.
- Ways to reduce GHG emissions from livestock systems include reducing the demand for livestock products, intensifying the diets of ruminants, using more productive breeds or shifting livestock species, and introducing regulatory frameworks for manure management.
- Carbon dioxide emissions can be avoided by practices that forestall the cultivation of new lands.
- Many options are available to help adapt to climate change, including expanded use of weather information, livestock insurance schemes, changing the mix of livestock species, and enabling institutional environments for long-term climate adaptation.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The document does not provide detailed methodologies for data collection or analysis.
- Specific quantitative data on the effectiveness of various mitigation and adaptation strategies are limited.
- The document is a brief, so it does not include in-depth analysis of the complexities of livestock systems or climate change.
- The future trajectory of global GHG emissions is uncertain.
- The projections of climate models into the future have considerable uncertainties.
- The communication of uncertainty and how it can be better addressed in the future (without causing decision paralysis) could be very important.
- The brief acknowledges that much research is needed to understand the impacts of climate change on livestock systems in developing countries.
Conclusion
The issue brief underscores the significant role of livestock systems in both contributing to climate change and supporting the livelihoods of millions, particularly in the developing world. The document highlights the need for a balanced approach that considers both the environmental impact of livestock production and the importance of livestock for food security and poverty reduction. A key takeaway is the emphasis on mitigation and adaptation strategies, including reducing demand for livestock products, improving animal diets, and implementing better management practices. Furthermore, it advocates for policy interventions and institutional support to enable livestock keepers to adapt to climate change and reduce their emissions. The document emphasizes the need for further research to better understand the impacts of climate change on livestock systems, quantify the effects of different mitigation and adaptation options, and address the challenges that remain. The document promotes a systems-based approach, emphasizing the importance of considering the interactions between livestock, the environment, and human livelihoods. “The genetic characterisation of indigenous animal genetic resources in tropical livestock systems is far behind that of major crops.” It concludes by calling for continued efforts to improve communication of uncertainty and addressing complex challenges in the future.
IFFS Team Summary
- http://awfw.org/livestock-climate-advanced/
- http://awfw.org/climate-advanced/
- Follow up Response: https://awfw.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/Goodland-Anhang-Livestock-GHG-1-7-12.pdf
- Reviewed against the UN FAO papers by Nicholas Carter here: https://sentientmedia.org/the-climate-crisis-secret/
- Livestock and Climate Change 2009 article in World Watch Magazine
- Written by Robert Goodland, former advisor to World Bank Jeff Anahang, who also works for World Bank IFC
- calculates the contribution of animal agriculture CO2 Equivalents as at-least 51% of all greenhouse gasses
- This due to
- a) counting CO2 production from animal Respiration
- b) weighing impact of methane in 20 year timeframe, not 100 year time frame as is done by some
- c) population of livestock have increased since UN calculations based on 2002 populations
- d) uncounted deforestation in Argentina, use of fish meal, undercounting of actual meat production, etc.
- Was responded to by a number of livestock specialists at the UN FAO, to which they responded back clarifying, and continuing the debate. The FAO livestock specialists declined to continue the debate, therefore conceding a number of points:
- http://www.chompingclimatechange.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Livestock-and-Greenhouse-gas-emissions.pdf