Volume 19, Issue 1 p. 3-18
Review

Livestock greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation potential in Europe

Jessica Bellarby,

Corresponding Author

Jessica Bellarby

Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU UK

Corresponding: Jessica Bellarby, tel. + 44 11224 273 810, fax +44 1224 272 703, e-mail: j.bellarby@abdn.ac.ukSearch for more papers by this author
Reyes Tirado,

Reyes Tirado

Greenpeace Research Laboratories, School of Biosciences, University of Exeter, Exeter, EX4 4RN UK

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Adrian Leip,

Adrian Leip

European Commission – DG Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, Ispra (VA), 21027 Italy

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Franz Weiss,

Franz Weiss

European Commission – DG Joint Research Centre, Institute for Environment and Sustainability, Via E. Fermi 2749, Ispra (VA), 21027 Italy

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Jan Peter Lesschen,

Jan Peter Lesschen

Alterra, Wageningen University and Research Centre, P.O. Box 47, Wageningen, 6700 AA The Netherlands

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Pete Smith,

Pete Smith

Institute of Biological and Environmental Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, University of Aberdeen, Aberdeen, AB24 3UU UK

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First published: 12 July 2012
Citations: 137

Abstract

The livestock sector contributes considerably to global greenhouse gas emissions (GHG). Here, for the year 2007 we examined GHG emissions in the EU27 livestock sector and estimated GHG emissions from production and consumption of livestock products; including imports, exports and wastage. We also reviewed available mitigation options and estimated their potential. The focus of this review is on the beef and dairy sector since these contribute 60% of all livestock production emissions. Particular attention is paid to the role of land use and land use change (LULUC) and carbon sequestration in grasslands. GHG emissions of all livestock products amount to between 630 and 863 Mt CO2e, or 12–17% of total EU27 GHG emissions in 2007. The highest emissions aside from production, originate from LULUC, followed by emissions from wasted food. The total GHG mitigation potential from the livestock sector in Europe is between 101 and 377 Mt CO2e equivalent to between 12 and 61% of total EU27 livestock sector emissions in 2007. A reduction in food waste and consumption of livestock products linked with reduced production, are the most effective mitigation options, and if encouraged, would also deliver environmental and human health benefits. Production of beef and dairy on grassland, as opposed to intensive grain fed production, can be associated with a reduction in GHG emissions depending on actual LULUC emissions. This could be promoted on rough grazing land where appropriate.

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