Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 1 — Meta-analysis / systematic reviewPeer-reviewed

Greenhouse gas mitigation potentials in the livestock sector

Mario Herrero, B. Henderson, Peter Havlík, Philip K. Thornton, Richard T. Conant, Pete Smith, Stefan Wirsenius, A.N. Hristov, Pierre Gerber, M. Gill, Klaus Butterbach‐Bahl, Hugo Valin, Tara Garnett, Elke Stehfest

Nature Climate Change · 2016

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Summary

This systematic assessment examined mitigation pathways and technical potentials for reducing greenhouse gas emissions from global livestock production. Drawing on multi-disciplinary expertise, the authors synthesised evidence on emission reduction strategies across production systems, identifying both near-term and long-term mitigation opportunities. The work contextualises livestock's role in global climate mitigation whilst evaluating the feasibility and economic viability of various intervention options.

UK applicability

Findings are relevant to UK livestock policy and climate commitments, particularly for informing farm-level abatement strategies in dairy and beef production. However, the global scope may require local adaptation to UK-specific production systems, feed supply chains and regulatory contexts.

Key measures

Greenhouse gas emissions (CO₂-equivalent); mitigation potential (gigatonnes CO₂-eq); cost-effectiveness of abatement measures; sectoral contribution to global emissions

Outcomes reported

The study assessed mitigation potentials for greenhouse gas emissions across the livestock sector globally, examining technical, economic and policy-based abatement options. It evaluated the feasibility and costs of reducing emissions from livestock production systems.

Theme
Climate & resilience
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Systematic Review
Study design
Systematic review
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
Global
System type
Intensive livestock
DOI
10.1038/nclimate2925
Catalogue ID
BFmovi23dp-a4feac

Topic tags

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