Summary
This paper presents a multi-criteria mathematical optimisation model for restructuring national livestock production to simultaneously reduce carbon emissions, maintain economic returns, and meet nutritional guidelines. The model demonstrates that carbon footprint reduction primarily requires reducing dairy and beef cattle, sheep and goat populations, whilst swine and poultry meat sectors are less affected. The authors identify Pareto-optimal solutions showing that many carbon reduction pathways can be achieved without significant negative socio-economic effects, and suggest that technological improvements and feed quality management could further mitigate trade-offs.
Regional applicability
This Russian study uses national-level modelling applicable to large-scale agricultural systems with similar livestock production structures. The methodological framework and multi-criteria optimisation approach may be relevant to United Kingdom policy-making on agricultural decarbonisation, though direct application would require adaptation to UK production data, consumption patterns, dietary recommendations, and climate targets.
Key measures
Carbon footprint (greenhouse gas emissions in CO₂ equivalent), production revenue, per-capita consumption alignment with medical dietary guidelines across livestock product categories
Outcomes reported
The study developed a non-linear optimisation model to structure livestock production at national level across three criteria: economic revenue, carbon footprint, and alignment of per-capita meat, milk and egg consumption with medical recommendations. Model experiments identified which livestock sectors most impact carbon reduction and how technological improvements and feed quality management could mitigate negative effects.
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