The carbon footprint of beef, grass-finished beef, other meats, and carbon offsets

摘要

A lively debate over cattle and global warming has emerged in recent years. Some proponents in the debate argue that beef cattle should be finished in feedlots and fed grain rations such as corn. The aim of such practices is to generate weight gain in the shortest time possible thereby saving on resources usage and cutting emissions per animal. Others argue that cattle should be finished in pastures on grass and forage exclusively. The logic here is that proper cattle grazing can unlock the soil's potential to sequester carbon thereby offsetting production emissions (and possibly emissions beyond). This research seeks to provide guidance to consumers who desire to cut their household carbon emissions. To this aim, a model was created that estimates a household carbon footprint over a range of dietary choices and non-food expenditures, including a dietary choice of grass-finished beef that is assumed to be produced on land undergoing soil carbon sequestration. The study further considers other available options to lower household emissions, such as a vegetarian diet or the purchase of carbon offsets. Results show that grass-finished beef is less likely to cut household emissions over conventional finished beef. A lower carbon footprint can be achieved by replacing all beef with poultry or going vegetarian. But the most effective way to reduce carbon emissions is through the purchase of carbon offsets. Carbon offsets not only offset carbon emissions at a low cost, they forgo having to make radical dietary alterations.