According to a new study, Brazilian beef production alone exceeds the country’s entire greenhouse gas commitments by more than two times. This shocking discovery exposes the industry as one of the top drivers of Brazil’s total greenhouse gas emissions. It highlights serious, anti-environmental trends in the country’s beef farming practices.
The analysis finds that emissions from Brazil’s beef production sector will likely be between 0.42 and 0.63 gigatons CO 2 equivalent (GtCO 2 e) by 2030. This is a major, underappreciated, environmental threat moving forward. This would be more than double Brazil’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) target of 0.26 GtCO2e. This gap perfectly highlights the fact that today’s production policies are out of touch with the country’s stated climate ambition. In addition, Brazil is aiming to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 850 million to 1.05 billion tons of CO2 equivalent by 2035. Yet, as the following highlights show, a huge gap remains in actually achieving these ambitious targets.
Economic Implications of Beef Production
Brazil’s cattle farming industry is a major pillar of the country’s economy as well as its cultural identity. In 2023, beef exports hit an all-time high. We moved a record high 2.29 million tons to 157 countries, producing an astounding USD 10.55 billion in sales. Yet this unprecedented economic boon has come at an equal or greater environmental cost.
Even in the current sector, the beef production sector has a tremendous potential for loss mitigation. Through adoption of strong mitigation strategies, it can not only avoid up to USD 42.6 billion, but increase competitiveness along the value chain. These policies may involve implementing environmentally friendly agricultural practices and expanding rural economic development incentives like tax breaks and carbon offset credits.
“We know how important the beef sector is not only for the economy but also for the Brazilian menu.” – Mariana Vieira da Costa
Even with the huge economic value of the beef industry, its expansion in recent decades has resulted in widespread and massive deforestation. An area roughly the size of France has been cleared for pasture — 64% of agricultural expansion in Brazil. As with all expansion, this particular expansion has direct environmental justice implications as well — namely, that it contributes to both increased greenhouse gas pollution and biodiversity loss.
The Challenge of Meeting Climate Goals
The authors’ analysis prompts fundamental questions about how Brazil intends to reconcile its beef production with its climate commitments. The findings suggest that if beef production does not adapt, per capita consumption could drop to between 2-10 kg per year to meet the NDC target. This extreme cut has left consumers in the dark. Doing so endangers U.S. agriculture by putting out of business farmers who rely on beef production to support their families.
The Brazilian government has come out with the ABC+—Plan for Adaptation and Low Carbon Emissions in Agriculture. This new program is intended to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the ag sector. This policy aims to ensure that there is continuity in efforts to combat climate change, all while ensuring that the farmers’ economic viability is supported.
Mariana Vieira da Costa speaks on behalf of small-holder farmers. She calls for us to critically examine our production practices now more than ever.
“Our goal is not to say, produce or eat less meat, but to start a discussion about the current form of production, which is linked to deforestation, high emissions and without adopting sustainable techniques. That’s not the way to achieve our climate targets.” – Mariana Vieira da Costa
Moving Toward Sustainable Beef Production
To tackle these urgent challenges head on, Brazilian beef producers need to strongly embrace effective mitigation strategies that would save them millions of dollars in the process. We calculate the investments in these strategies would save an estimated USD 18.8 billion to USD 42.6 billion by 2030.
There is an increasing acknowledgment of the importance of diversifying the sector. Stakeholders are pushing for a suite of incentives aimed at encouraging more sustainable and climate-friendly practices in beef production. When combined with federal investments and tax breaks, these initiatives have the potential to not only reduce emissions, but spur economic opportunities within the industry.
As Brazil grapples with the dual challenge of sustaining its economy while reducing its environmental footprint, it is clear that a transformative approach to beef production is necessary. Mitigating fertilizer runoff Stakeholders from all subsectors of the agricultural industry need to work together to develop a more sustainable future that better connects economic and environmental interests.