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The livestock industry's contribution to greenhouse gas emissions is best understood within the context of the carbon cycle. It is not just about emissions, but also about transfers between carbon stores.
The carbon stored in plants is consumed by livestock when they graze. Most of it is then released into the atmosphere as carbon dioxide when the animals breathe it out and as methane when ruminants such as sheep and cattle digest their feed. Methane in the atmosphere is eventually transformed to carbon dioxide and water. Carbon dioxide is then re-absorbed by plants as they grow and the cycle continues. Ruminant animals contribute to global warming because methane is a stronger greenhouse gas than carbon dioxide.
The process of absorbing carbon dioxide from the atmosphere in photosynthesis and storing carbon in plants and soil is called 'sequestration'. Some of this carbon is stored in the stems and roots of plants and some is stored in the soil, improving soil health.
Current Kyoto accounting rules don't allow for sequestration
International greenhouse accounting rules account for carbon released into the atmosphere as methane and as carbon dioxide following land clearing, but they do not currently fully account for all absorption and emissions of carbon dioxide from plants and soil. A recent report by the Queensland Government has suggested that under the current conditions for the beef industry in that state (47% of all Australia's cattle) would be close to carbon neutral.
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- Greenhouse gas emissions are best understood in the context of the carbon cycle.
- The whole story isn't just about emissions, but also about transfers between carbon stores.
See how the McGregors' holistic approach to planned grazing increases the carbon stored in their land.
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Diagram of the carbon cycle
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