Challenges for the balanced attribution of livestock’s environmental impacts: the art of conveying simple messages around complex realities

A fascinating and detailed paper in the Animal Frontiers Journal explores the risks of oversimplifying methane emissions from the livestock sector. It suggests a more holistic approach, where nutrition and co-benefits are considered. The paper considers the complexities of environmental impact accounting, which often does not represent the true impact and value of livestock production. The authors suggest that ideally, metrics should aim at accounting for the wider value of livestock in our circular food system, providing opportunities for biodiversity (through appropriate stewardship), restoring soil health, reducing the risk of wildfires, and supporting rural communities at a time of climate uncertainty. Whilst the authors acknowledge that livestock production must play its part in reducing GHG emissions, they warn that unbalanced metrics could result in outcomes that don’t fully consider the needs for feeding a growing population and the value livestock so clearly provides. This in turn could lead to damaging social effects with unpredictable consequences.  Read the full paper