Share of global greenhouse gas emissions from food production, 2022
Joseph Poore & Thomas Nemeek
29 Nov 2022
Global food production is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, with livestock and fisheries accounting for the highest proportion at 31%. These emissions primarily arise from animals raised for meat, dairy, eggs, and seafood production. Among these, ruminants are prominent methane emitters due to their digestive processes.The environmental impact of livestock farming is intensified by its extensive land requirements, with approximately two-thirds of land emissions coming from livestock essential for grazing pastures.The cultivation of crops specifically for animal feed exacerbates the emissions associated with food production. Overall, 53% of GHG emissions from global food production can be attributed to the livestock farming process, which not only demands vast land areas for pasturing and cultivating feed crops but also sustains large populations of animals.ย
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