How to reduce livestock emissions

Europe has one of the most efficient livestock production systems in the world. It’s characterised by lower greenhouse gas emissions per kg of meat than production in other areas.

Enteric fermentation, in particular, which is one of the results of the food digestion process, has become particularly relevant in the case of herbivorous ruminants, such as bovine, sheep, buffalo, etc., as it involves the production of a large quantity of methane (CH4). The quantity of methane produced mainly depends on the animal’s characteristics, like breed, age, and weight, as well as the type and quantity of feed. The contribution of enteric fermentation is 42.6%, but there are many ways through improved animal management to reduce livestock emissions.

According to FAO statistics, enteric fermentation from the EU livestock sector has rapidly decreased from 1990-2022, from 17.9 Kt to 8.3 Kt, a more than 50% drop. It has been largely due to the shift to a more specialised agricultural livestock system, with a still relevant large margin for improvement. As confirmed by the FAO, the use of fossil fuels for energy production is one of the first sources of emissions, followed by transport, manufacturing and construction industries and, in fourth position, agricultural production, responsible for just over a tenth of global emissions.

According to the latest data from the European Environment Agency (EEA), “CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation and N2O emissions from soils are responsible for 48% and 31% of total agricultural GHG emissions, respectively. CH4 from manure management is the third most important source of emissions, accounting for about 17%. The remaining sources make relatively small contributions, accounting for less than 5% of agricultural GHG emissions in total.”

There are many ways to reduce livestock emissions

There are specific ways to reduce emissions from livestock through improved animal management. One simple way to do it, often overlooked in public debates, is to limit and reduce food waste. According to the FAO, 40-50% of fruit and vegetables are wasted at source, while for meat/dairy, the FAO estimates losses at 20%. Food waste accounts for 8-10% of global emissions, so promoting less food waste can contribute to further reductions in emissions.

The emissions intensity of methane and the potential to mitigate all associated emissions vary greatly across regions and between production systems. The FAO estimates that the wide gap in emissions intensity for ruminant products is due to different agroecological conditions, farming practices and supply chain management. Within this variability, many mitigation options can be found, and with the right incentives, they can be exploited to close the gap.

Solutions also exist to reduce emissions at the farm level, and farmers have already taken many measures over the past two decades. A report from FAO estimates that partially reducing the emissions intensity gap within existing production systems through improved management could cut emissions by about 30%.

The importance of animal feed and feed additives

Innovation in animal nutrition science has delivered feed additive solutions such as amino acids, enzymes, and probiotics, enabling more efficient use of available feed materials and reducing impacts on GHG emissions, acidification, and eutrophication. Phytase, the most widely used feed enzyme in the world, has allowed animals to increase the digestibility of the available phosphorous in feed materials, leading to a reduced need for feed intake. Feed additives have positive effects on the reduction of the environmental footprint of animal farming.

Specifically for cattle, improving forage quality can be achieved through better grassland management, improved pasture species, forage mix and greater use of locally available supplements. Matching ruminant production to underlying pasture resources, balancing rations, and appropriate feed preparation and preservation will improve nutrient uptake, ruminant productivity and fertility. Whatever the source, better feed use can help to reduce ammonia excretion in ruminants and monogastrics. Much research is being done to reduce enteric emissions from ruminants, for example, by adjusting the composition of diets and the type of feed materials used and including feed additives such as algae, seaweed, polyphenols/tannins, and essential oils.

The opportunities from digital technologies, animal health and animal breeding

Similarly, opportunities in digital technology, such as the Internet of Things, big data, blockchain, drones and remote sensing for free-ranging livestock, may provide opportunities for entirely new ways of monitoring GHG emissions and removals at an unprecedented level of detail and perhaps with reduced uncertainty and increased precision. Artificial intelligence and increasing computational power may allow future systems to process huge amounts of data and provide overviews, trend lines and disaggregation as needed.

A study from FAO showed that in one specific project aimed at enhancing the climate resilience of pastoral communities where a combination of measures including vaccination were implemented, there was a 17 percent reduction in total emissions and a 20 percent reduction in emissions intensity

Animal breeding programmes can also reduce methane emissions by selecting animals that produce less CH4 and live longer, with improved longevity. Longevity traits related to animal welfare, such as vitality and maximum survival of animals and their offspring, help to reduce emissions and the carbon footprint of animal production. Similarly, traits related to animal health, such as disease resistance and robustness, lead to lower emissions from livestock production.

Achieving emissions reductions requires a multifaceted approach, cross-sector collaboration, and continuous innovation. We can only work towards a more sustainable and environmentally friendly livestock industry by implementing these strategies.