Livestock supply chains emit 6.2 billion tonnes of CO₂e a year. This is about 12% of all greenhouse gases from human activity (FAO, 2023, data for 2015). Cattle cause 62% of it. Yet in many meat and dairy companies, the carbon footprint covers only the plant: energy, fuel and refrigerants. Customers and climate target schemes now ask about the farm part too.
- Livestock carbon footprint: emissions over the life of an animal product, mostly methane, nitrous oxide and feed.
- Main sources: methane from digestion in cattle, manure, fertiliser for feed crops, and energy.
- Data you need: herd size and type, feed amount and origin, manure handling, fertiliser, energy and fuel.
- Biggest levers: feed and feed additives, handling of manure and slurry, green energy and biogas.
How do you calculate the carbon footprint of farming?
The carbon footprint of farming measures the total greenhouse gas emissions linked to farm production. You state it in CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). It covers all stages in the life of a farm product, from making fertiliser to transport and sale.
Two sources weigh the most: nitrous oxide from fertiliser and methane from livestock, above all cattle. A check of the main sources shows where cutting emissions works best.
Methane and nitrous oxide warm the climate much more than CO₂. Over 100 years, the effect of gases compares as follows (IPCC, 2021):
- 1 kg of methane from living sources, such as cattle, equals 27 kg of CO₂;
- 1 kg of nitrous oxide equals 273 kg of CO₂.
Methane comes mainly from digestion in cattle. It has a much stronger effect than CO₂ in the short term.
Measuring and reporting the carbon footprint in livestock farming shows the impact on nature. It also lets you prepare a reduction plan that fits your farm or company. A life cycle assessment (LCA) gives a full view of the emissions from animal production. If your company sets SBTi targets, these emissions also count as FLAG emissions.
What data do you need to calculate the carbon footprint?
To calculate the carbon footprint of livestock farming, you need two kinds of emissions:
- direct emissions, for example methane released by animals or manure;
- indirect emissions, for example from the feed and electricity you use.
CO₂ comes mainly from energy use, such as heating livestock buildings and moving feed.
Methane comes mainly from digestion in ruminants, such as cattle. Nitrous oxide comes from microbes in the soil, above all where farmers use nitrogen fertiliser. The final carbon footprint can differ a lot between farming methods. This affects how you build a plan to cut emissions.
How large is the footprint of different animals?
The carbon footprint of cattle, pigs or poultry depends on the species and the farming system. Cattle emit large amounts of methane. So their carbon footprint is much larger than that of pigs or poultry. Pigs and poultry emit less methane. But they add nitrous oxide from manure, and CO₂ from feed production and energy use.
A life cycle assessment for each species gives a more accurate estimate of its impact. It also shows where cutting emissions works best. Report emissions for each species on its own.
How does animal feed affect the carbon footprint?
Feed production causes greenhouse gas emissions. The make-up of the feed also matters. High-protein feed, often based on soy, can increase nitrous oxide emissions from animal waste.
A better diet for the animals can reduce the carbon footprint. This includes feed additives that cut methane in cattle. Local feed and better ways to grow feed crops also reduce the impact. How you feed cattle is a key part of a low footprint in farming.
How can you reduce the carbon footprint of livestock farming?
Regenerative agriculture practices can help cut greenhouse gas emissions over the life cycle of livestock. There are many ways to reduce emissions in livestock farming. The main areas of action are:
- better feeding of livestock, including feed additives that cut methane and a balanced diet that limits nitrous oxide;
- better use of fertiliser on fields, to cut nitrous oxide from the feed you grow;
- careful handling of manure;
- green electricity, for example from solar or wind;
- new vehicles and farm machines, biogas or biofuels, and electric farm equipment;
- investment in biogas plants.
Why does sustainable farming matter?
Good farming practices can improve soil health and help soil store more carbon. Combining crops and livestock can also cut emissions, because manure can then fertilise the crops.
Wildlife on farmland matters too. It makes nature more resilient and helps it absorb more CO₂. Good farming needs a full view that covers nature, people and money. With such practices, farms cope better with climate change and do less harm to nature.
How can EXERGY help you with your carbon footprint?
We have calculated carbon footprints since 2017.
We help companies measure, understand and cut greenhouse gas emissions, based on sound data and known standards.
We work under the GHG Protocol and ISO 14064.
We prepare full carbon footprint reports for organisations, products and services, in Scopes 1, 2 and 3.
We fit our work to your sector and company.
We do not use templates. We choose methods, data and reporting for your company and its sector.
We use our own calculation and reporting tool.
So your report is complete, clear and ready to publish, without extra corrections.
We help you set reduction targets and build a strategy.
Based on the results, we show the areas with the largest potential for cuts and prepare a decarbonisation plan.
