Reducing greenhouse emissions from beef production and consumption

Climate Focus has been contracted by the Climate and Land Use Alliance (CLUA) to evaluate options on how to reduce beef consumption in priority countries. The need to shift to more sustainable diets and particularly to reduce global beef consumption and move to more sustainable production practices is key to addressing global climate change and meeting sustainable development goals. In the first phase of the project, the team assessed the negative externalities and mitigation potential of beef production and consumption. In cooperation with the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, Climate Focus evaluated the impacts of reduced beef consumption on global greenhouse gas emissions. Beef is not only the least resource-efficient source of protein with the largest greenhouse gas emissions footprint, it is also a major driver of deforestation, biodiversity loss, environmental degradation and water pollution. Its increased consumption is also associated with significant negative health effects and related economic costs. In the second phase of the project that has just started, Climate Focus will work with the World Resources Institute and other partners to assess and develop a range of strategies on how to reduce the consumption of beef in the world and in key regions to healthy and sustainable levels.