Animal Farming In Europe Produces More Emissions Than Cars and Vans Combined

Greenhouse gas emissions from animal farming in the EU account for 17% of the EU’s total emissions, according to new analysis by Greenpeace.

A typical CAFO (Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations) farm in North Carolina, USA. Credit: Jo-Anne McArthur/WeAnimals

Livestock farming in the EU is producing more greenhouse gas emissions than all cars and vans combined, a new analysis by Greenpeace has found. 

Animal farming accounts for 17 percent of the EU’s total emissions. And worryingly, annual emissions from animal farming rose in Europe by 6 percent between 2007 and 2018. This increase alone, Greenpeace says, is the equivalent of adding 8.4 million cars to European roads. 

The calculations estimate that animals on European farms emit the equivalent of 502 million tonnes of CO2 per year. That number climbs considerably to 704 million tonnes, when factoring in indirect greenhouse gas emissions coming from the likes of animal feed production, deforestation and land use. 

Greenpeace’s predictions mean that the EU cannot reach the goals of the landmark Paris climate agreement, without a reduction in the number of farm animals. 

“Science is clear, the numbers as well: we can’t avoid the worst of climate breakdown if politicians keep defending industrial production of meat and dairy”, explains Marco Contiero, Greenpeace EU agriculture policy director. “Farm animals won’t stop farting and burping – the only way to cut emissions at the levels needed is to cut their numbers.”

But there is hope if governments like the EU tackle the issue of industrial animal farming. A 50 percent reduction in animal farming in the EU would save the equivalent of 250 million tonnes of CO2 - the combined emissions, from all sectors, of the 11 lower emitting EU countries Greenpeace estimates. 

Greenpeace are the latest group to also warn that a reduction in animal farming is essential in preventing new pandemics. An estimated 73 percent of all emerging infectious diseases originate in animals, and the science shows that livestock species transmit an extraordinary number of viruses, like coronaviruses and influenza viruses. 

They also add that 80 percent of all forest destruction worldwide is due to agricultural expansion, with soy for animal feed and beef being two of the leading causes. 

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