Net Zero Agriculture and Livestock Welfare Trade-offs

Policies aimed at achieving net zero greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture must be designed carefully to avoid creating new welfare harms for farm animals.

Key Facts

Livestock account for approximately 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions according to the FAO
Methane from ruminants and nitrous oxide from manure are the primary agricultural greenhouse gases
Intensification is sometimes proposed as a climate solution because it produces more food per unit of methane
Higher-welfare extensive systems often have larger land footprints but better animal welfare outcomes
Feed additives like 3-NOP can reduce methane from cattle by 20-30% without welfare harm
Plant-based and cultivated meat transitions could reduce both emissions and animal numbers, improving welfare overall

Welfare Considerations

Net zero agricultural policies risk creating perverse incentives if they prioritize emission reductions without welfare safeguards. Intensification may lower emissions per kilogram of product while worsening per-animal welfare. Policies that rapidly phase out livestock farming without transition support can lead to a rush to sell animals at low welfare standards. Welfare and climate goals must be co-designed rather than treated as competing priorities.

What You Can Do

Support climate policies that include explicit animal welfare protection alongside emission targets
Advocate for welfare outcome reporting in all climate-linked agricultural subsidy programs
Back research into low-emission farming practices that are compatible with higher welfare
Choose animal products from lower-emission, higher-welfare certified systems where available
Engage with climate advocacy groups to ensure animal welfare is part of their agricultural agenda