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FactuallyVegan
Frequently Asked Question
Environment & Climate

“Livestock GHG emissions are low / numbers are fake”

Last reviewed: April 12, 2026

Summary

Multiple assessments find livestock contributes a substantial share of anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions; the exact percentage varies by methodology and what’s included (e.g., land-use change, allocation choices). Regardless of the exact share, comparisons consistently show most animal products—especially ruminant meat—have higher emissions per calorie/protein than most plant foods.

Supported by 4 cited sources

Evidence Summary

  • FAO’s supply-chain assessment estimated ~~12-20% depending on methodology, system boundaries, and GWP values used. The often-cited 14.5% figure comes from FAO's 2013 GLEAM 2.0 assessment (Gerber et al.). FAO's updated 2023 GLEAM 3.0 report ("Pathways towards lower emissions") revised this downward to approximately 12% of anthropogenic GHG emissions (~6.2 GtCO2eq/year, reference year 2015). However, Xu et al.
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Supporting Evidence

Sources:

Sources:

Sources & Evidence

4 sources cited across 2 claims

1

Livestock contributes ~14.5% of global GHG emissions

Systematic Review
Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities — Gerber PJ, Steinfeld H, Henderson B, Mottet A, Opio C, Dijkman J, Falcucci A, Tempio G (2013)View source ↗
2

Ruminant meat has highest emissions per calorie/protein

Systematic Review
Tackling climate change through livestock: A global assessment of emissions and mitigation opportunities — Gerber PJ, Steinfeld H, Henderson B, Mottet A, Opio C, Dijkman J, Falcucci A, Tempio G (2013)View source ↗

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical or nutritional advice. Consult a qualified healthcare professional before making dietary changes.