Climate change is the major challenge for humanity in the 21st century and to overcome it, reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is essential. Livestock plays a role by emitting GHG either directly (from enteric fermentation and manure management) or indirectly (from feed production and conversion of forest into pasture). 

The European Roundtable for Beef Sustainability (ERBS) is facing into this directly, as part of our vision to demonstrate measurable progress of the beef sector on sustainability, through our outcome target of reducing GHG emissions by 15% by 2025. Platforms in France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Poland and United Kingdom are actively working with farmers on a range of activities to reduce GHG emissions (over 200000 European farmers are connected through a Platform)

We know that to drive emissions down at a landscape level, and with a truly regenerative approach, is complex. So, a report was jointly commissioned by the ERBS and the SAI Platform Dairy Working Group with Wageningen University, covering a survey of tools and practices being used by ERBS and Dairy WG members, and coupled with a literature review, to present GHG interventions – their scientific basis, potential impact and applicability. Secondly, the ERBS commissioned a literature search with Wageningen University to help us understand the environmental impact of different beef production systems and therefore where the opportunities for improvements are.

GHG mitigation options report

This report was jointly commissioned by the ERBS and the SAI Platform Dairy Working Group. A survey of tools and practices being used by ERBS and Dairy WG members was coupled with a literature review, to present GHG interventions – their scientific basis, potential impact and applicability.

GHG impact studies beef in Europe

This report focused on a literature search on GHG impact studies specific to beef in Europe