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How does livestock production contribute to greenhouse gas emissions?

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A row of cattle with brown and black coats eat feed from a long trough in a South African feedlot, separated by wooden fencing. — Feed Feedlot cattle eating grain in an intensive animal farm in South Africa.

Livestock production contributes to greenhouse gas emissions primarily through the biological processes of animals and the management of their waste, as well as the broader environmental costs of industrial farming practices.

Biological Emissions

Ruminant animals, such as cattle, produce methane—a potent greenhouse gas—as a byproduct of enteric fermentation during digestion. This methane is primarily released through belching. While methane is more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide, its overall impact is calculated using its global warming potential.1234

Waste Management

The storage of animal manure, particularly in traditional open lagoons, allows it to combine with methane-producing microbes, creating a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions. When manure is not managed effectively, it can also lead to water and air pollution. Technologies such as anaerobic digesters can help mitigate these impacts by capturing methane to produce biogas, which can be used as a renewable energy source.352

Industrial Farming Impacts

Intensive animal farming also contributes to emissions indirectly through the production of animal feed. Growing crops like corn and soy requires significant inputs, including fossil fuels for farm machinery, fertilizer manufacturing, and transportation.5