Global and regional trends in greenhouse gas emissions from livestock

This paper estimates GHG emissions from livestock in 237 countries and 11 livestock categories between 1961-2010, analyzing trends in the data. Global GHG emissions from livestock increased by 51 % during the analyzed period, mostly due to strong growth of emissions in developing (Non-Annex I) countries (+117 %). In contrast, developed country (Annex I) emissions decreased (−23 %). Since developed countries tend to have lower CO2-equivalent GHG emissions per unit GDP and per quantity of product generated in the livestock sector, the amount of wealth generated per unit GHG emitted from the livestock sector can be increased by improving both livestock farming practices in developing countries and the overall state of economic development. Discrepancies with higher tiers, demonstrate the value of more detailed analyses, and discourage over-interpretation of smaller-scale trends in the Tier 1 results, but do not undermine the value of global Tier 1 analysis.

Caro D, Davis S, Bastianoni S, Caldeira K

2014

Climatic Change