CO2 emissions from meat and milk production: this is how livestock is ranked
Meat production is jointly responsible for increased CO2 emissions. Many people therefore choose to avoid certain foods to protect the climate.
CO2 emissions from meat and milk production
Meat and milk production is responsible for almost a tenth of Germany's annual CO2 emissions. Animals emit gases and oils are burned when kept. This mixture increases the carbon dioxide consumption in agriculture.
- In 2017, agriculture produced 60 percent of the total methane emissions and 80 percent of the nitrous oxide emissions in Germany.
- This combination resulted in 66.3 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalents. This accounts for 7.3 percent of all greenhouse gas emissions in the year.
- In comparison, industrial production results in 7.1 percent CO2 emissions. Stationary and mobile burns, i.e. heat production from heating and cars, are the highest at 84.5 percent.
- Cattle farming is done on a global scale. So it secretly contributes to the greenhouse effect of the world.
Greenhouse gases from livestock farming
The gas methane has a particularly large impact on the climate. Cattle emit these gases during digestion. The storage and distribution of fertilizer in the form of liquid manure and solid manure also produces methane gas, i.e. animal waste mixed with hay or straw.
- Keeping dairy cows is responsible for the largest methane gas emissions. In contrast, manure management produces 19 percent of Germany's methane gas emissions.
- Nevertheless, methane emissions decreased by 27.8 percent between 1990 and 2017. This is mainly due to the declining animal population after reunification.
- Nitrous oxide is part of fertilizer in the form of solid manure. This gas, like methane gas, is also climate-effective. Nitrous oxide emissions have also decreased - by 17 percent since 1990.
- Despite this decline, nitrous oxide and methane gas emissions rise again on average every year. Farmers are now fertilizing more, which means that nitrous oxide emissions are higher. The methane gas increased because more meat was exported and farmers no longer have to comply with the milk quota and are therefore allowed to keep more dairy cows.
- In addition, new biogas plants increase methane emissions. This is where crops like maize ferment. This open fermentation produces methane gas.
Measures to reduce CO2 emissions in animal husbandry
German politicians are trying to slow down climate change with different approaches.
- In 2016, the federal government set the goal of reducing emissions by a further 16 to 21 percent by 2030.
- There are several measures to achieve this goal. This includes less use of nitrogen fertilizers and dense storage of fermenting materials.
- In addition, stopping the conversion of green spaces into arable land can lead to a reduction in CO2 emissions. Such a conversion of the soil releases the CO2 contained in it.
- In addition, it helps transform agricultural land into bogs, as they are natural locations of carbon dioxide. A focus on organic farming with soils enriched with humus also reduces CO2 emissions.
- Beef and milk production must also decrease. Therefore, many people choose to become vegetarians or reduce their own meat consumption.
In the next article you will read what ten things you can do for climate protection.