More meat, more gas

Per-capita greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from meat production in Europe and North America are among the highest in the world. However, regional differences in rates of demographic change and economic development will lead to a drop in their share of total GHG emissions from 21% of the total in 2000 to 16% in 2030.

Increased meat production is highly correlated with declines in poverty: the total GHG increase from meat production in Africa, Asia and Latin America combined is expected to have increased 31% from 1 817 to 2 381 million tonnes (Mt) of CO₂-equivalent (compared to 23% overall) between 2000 and 2030. (Africa's total emissions will increase overall from 332 to 637 Mt CO₂-equivalent in the same period – but per-capita emissions will remain well below other regions.)

How will eating habits change in the years ahead? And what will be the impact on GHG emissions – and on the agricultural sector more broadly?

See news release.