Greenhouse Gas mitigation potential of the Australian red meat production and processing sectors

Abstract

The aim of this project was to investigate pathways forthe Australian red meat sector to become carbon neutral. First, baseline greenhouse gas (GHG) emissionswere establishedfor the sector for 2005. Emissions from livestock(beef cattle, sheep, goats), production of livestock feed (pastures, crops), land management, processingandenergy usewere included. We excluded emissions from dairy, wool,and live export of cattle and sheep. Emissions from the red meat sector in 2005 were 124.1 Mt CO₂e. The main sources of emissions were deforestation and enteric methane fermentation from grazing animals. The most promising mitigation optionswere identified, and a series of pathways to reduce GHG emissionsevaluated. Thestudy presents theoretical pathwaysfor the Australian the red meat sector to substantially reduce emissions by 2030, and even become carbon neutral. Large reductions in GHG emissions can be achieved through landmanagement (tree planting, savannaburning management, reduced deforestation), and reduction of enteric methane emissions from grazing animals (feed additives, vaccines, breeding, more efficient production). However,these pathways need to be further researched and developed, then supported with appropriate policy mechanismsand economic incentives.