Environment and Climate

Modern animal agriculture is not merely a matter of individual dietary choice, but a major driver of global environmental change. Numerous scientific studies and international organizations—including the FAO, the IPCC, and large-scale meta-analyses such as Poore & Nemecek (2018)—demonstrate that livestock production has substantial impacts on climate, land use, water consumption, biodiversity, and nitrogen cycles.

1. Greenhouse Gas Emissions

According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), livestock production is responsible for approximately 14.5% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Major sources include methane (CH₄) from enteric fermentation in ruminants, nitrous oxide (N₂O) from manure and fertilizers, and CO₂ from land-use change.

Methane is particularly significant because it has a much higher short-term warming potential per molecule than CO₂. Cattle farming contributes a considerable share of these methane emissions.

The large-scale meta-analysis by Poore & Nemecek (Science, 2018), which evaluated over 38,000 farms worldwide, concludes that animal products—especially beef—produce multiple times the emissions of plant-based alternatives.

2. Land Use

Data from Our World in Data and the FAO indicate that livestock production occupies approximately 77% of global agricultural land, yet provides only around 18% of global calories and about 37% of protein.

A significant portion of this land is used to grow feed crops. More than 70% of global soy production is used for animal feed, creating indirect land pressure, particularly in South America.

3. Deforestation and Biodiversity Loss

Large areas of deforestation in the Amazon are linked to the expansion of pasture land and soy cultivation for animal feed. Deforestation not only contributes to climate change but also results in severe biodiversity loss.

The IPBES (Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services) identifies land-use change—particularly due to agriculture—as a primary driver of global species extinction.

4. Water Use

The production of animal products is, on average, more water-intensive than plant-based alternatives. Studies show that beef in particular has a significantly higher water footprint than legumes or grains.

Water use includes not only drinking water for animals, but also irrigation of feed crops and indirect water costs throughout the production chain.

5. Nitrogen and Phosphorus Cycles

Livestock production is closely linked to intensive fertilization and manure generation. Excess nutrients enter soils and water systems, leading to eutrophication, nitrate contamination of groundwater, and so-called “dead zones” in coastal regions.

6. Transformation Potential

The study by Poore & Nemecek (2018) suggests that a global shift toward a plant-based diet could reduce agricultural land use by up to 75%. This would free large areas for rewilding and potential carbon sequestration.

The data presented here do not constitute a moral judgment. They describe measurable ecological impacts of a system involving billions of animals worldwide. The question of what consequences should be drawn from these findings is normative—but the empirical foundation is well documented.