One-third of nitrogen emissions come from livestock sector
The livestock sector emits about a third of current human-caused nitrogen emissions each year, according to an international study looking at 275 countries' emissions. Supply chains of grazing cattle (dairy and beef) and pigs each account for about 16 per cent of emissions, with most coming from South Asia. In another paper published in Nature Sustainability, researchers in the USA analysed more than 2,700 policies across 186 countries and suggest that two-thirds of agricultural policies (ranging from broad sectoral programmes to nitrogen-specific measures) incentivise nitrogen use, which they say demonstrates the prioritisation of food production over environmental concerns.
Journal/conference: Nature Food and Nature Sustainability
Link to research (DOI): 10.1038/s43016-020-0113-y
Organisation/s: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
Attachments:
Note: Not all attachments are visible to the general public
News for:
International
Media contact details for this story are only visible to registered journalists.