With the still ongoing economic growth and advancing urbanization worldwide, meat consumption is also increasing, the study continues. Due to the growth of the world population, the consumption of animal proteins is expected to increase by about one fifth (21%) between 2020 and 2050, reports Dow Jones News. Avoiding meat consumption would have only a limited impact on this.
In 2015, according to the study, 810 million tons of milk, 78 million tons of eggs, and 330 million tons of meat were produced worldwide. Livestock, in particular, causes a high emission of greenhouse gases; according to the research, this share amounts to 62%.
Pig farming is responsible for 14%, poultry for 9%, buffalo for 8%, and sheep and goats for 7%. Regarding the end product, meat production is responsible for 67% of greenhouse gases, milk production for 30%, and eggs for 3%.
Most emissions—about 60%—come directly from flatulence and animal waste, while the remaining approximately 40% come indirectly, for example through the production of pesticides and fertilizers for animal feed, livestock transport, and deforestation of primary forests to create fields and plantations for animal feed production.
The FAO recommends that the most effective way to reduce emissions from livestock farming is to increase productivity throughout the production chain. One example is higher milk production per cow. Other suggestions include improved breeding or means to enhance the animals' digestion.
Avoiding meat consumption—especially in wealthy countries—is also a way to reduce emissions according to the FAO study. However, the impact is limited, especially if the fruits and vegetables consumed instead are grown in energy-intensive greenhouses or transported by air.