Summary
This systematic review synthesises fragmented literature on energy use across EU livestock production systems, revealing that feed production dominates energy demand and that livestock systems remain heavily dependent on fossil fuels. The authors identify considerable methodological inconsistency and data gaps in existing research, and call for standardised measurement protocols as a prerequisite for designing effective interventions to reduce fossil energy reliance and mitigate climate impacts from EU livestock production.
Regional applicability
The findings are directly applicable to UK livestock systems, which operate under similar EU sustainability frameworks and regulatory pressures. The review's identification of feed production as the dominant energy use category and the call for standardised measurement methodologies are pertinent to UK policy efforts to decarbonise agriculture and meet net-zero targets.
Key measures
Energy use intensity (MJ/kg product); fossil fuel dependence; renewable energy adoption potential; energy distribution across feed, housing, and manure management operations
Outcomes reported
The review synthesised Life Cycle Assessment data on energy consumption across EU livestock sectors, identifying energy concentration in feed production, housing, and manure management. Energy requirements were quantified for dairy milk (2.1–5.3 MJ/kg ECM), beef (59.2 MJ/kg suckler calf, 43.73 MJ/kg dairy bull), pork (15.9–22.7 MJ/kg), broiler (9.6–19.1 MJ/kg), and eggs (20.5–23.5 MJ/kg).
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