Frequently Asked Question
Environment“Livestock GHG emissions are low / numbers are fake”
Last reviewed: January 9, 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.
Evidence Summary
- FAO’s supply-chain assessment estimated ~14.5% of anthropogenic GHG emissions from livestock (method-dependent).
- System-wide analyses consistently rank beef/lamb as among the highest-emission foods. Evidence quality: High Limitations / nuance: Percent share depends on boundary choices; per-food comparisons are more robust than “single global percent.” Bottom line: The precise percent can move; the relative ranking (ruminants >> plants) is stable.