Animal Agriculture and Climate Change: A Dual Crisis

Animal agriculture is one of the largest contributors to greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption globally. Addressing climate change and improving animal welfare are deeply interconnected challenges.

Key Facts

Livestock account for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the FAO
Beef and dairy production account for the largest share of livestock emissions
Around 80% of agricultural land is used for livestock grazing or growing feed crops
Deforestation for soy and cattle farming is a leading driver of biodiversity loss in the Amazon
A shift toward plant-rich diets could reduce food system emissions by up to 70% according to Oxford University research
Methane from ruminants is a potent short-lived climate pollutant with significant warming potential
Water use in animal agriculture is substantial — producing 1 kilogram of beef requires approximately 15,000 litres of water
Intensive factory farming concentrates both welfare harms and environmental impacts in the same systems

Welfare Considerations

The connection between animal welfare and climate is not coincidental — intensive factory farming optimises for production volume in ways that degrade both animal experience and environmental outcomes simultaneously. Animals confined at high density in resource-efficient systems suffer both individually and contribute disproportionately to environmental harm. Conversely, extensive, higher-welfare systems may have lower per-unit emissions, lower antibiotic use, and better ecological relationships. The most evidence-based path to addressing both crises involves reducing overall consumption of animal products while improving the welfare standards of production that continues.

What You Can Do

Reduce meat and dairy consumption, particularly beef, as the highest-impact personal action
Support policies that align agricultural subsidies with both welfare and climate outcomes
Advocate for carbon pricing and supply chain transparency in the food industry
Choose certified higher-welfare and lower-carbon animal products where reduction is not yet possible
Support research into low-emission animal farming systems that maintain or improve welfare
Engage with farmers as partners in climate transition rather than treating them as adversaries