Carbon War Room releases Livestock Report

Aug 19, 2011 - Guy Pinjuv, Ph.D., Lead Analyst and Matthew Cullinen, Editor - carbonwarroom.com

Over the next decade and beyond, Brazil will rely heavily on the clearing of tropical forests to make way for the expansion of livestock rangeland.

Deforestation in this region is speeding climate change and is responsible for the loss of plant and animal biodiversity. Brazil’s annual carbon emissions are estimated at 5 Gt CO2e, with 70 percent coming from deforestation and agriculture.  Under current practices, the country's national goal to double beef and leather exports by 2018 will result in clearing of vast areas of tropical rainforests.

There are compelling business opportunities to deter this increase in deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. With just a moderate level of intensification, an area the size of California could be saved from future deforestation. This could provide healthy returns on investment and a total mitigation potential of 6.5 Gt CO2e by 2018.

This report describes the primary opportunities to mitigate emissions from Brazil's livestock production and deforestation and examines current barriers to implementation.