Posted  22 Jan, 2024 
In: Livestock

Originally published January 22, 2024 on Alberta Farmer Express

By Jeff Melchior


Assessment reveals industry has reduced emissions by 15 per cent 

Producing a kilogram of boneless beef cuts today involves 15 per cent fewer greenhouse gas emissions than in 2014, according to the recently released National Beef Sustainability Assessment (NBSA) and Strategy report.

“It’s exciting to see the 15 per cent reduction in GHG emissions intensity, which puts us on track to achieve the 33 per cent reduction 2030 goal that the industry has set,” wrote Ryan Beierbach, chair of the Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef (CRSB).

The roundtable published the report in the third week of January and pointed to increased efficiencies in the beef sector, which they say played into the improved numbers. The assessment reflects three years of scientific analysis highlighting the Canadian beef sector’s progress between 2014 and 2021. Factors included in the study spanned GHG emissions, biodiversity, carbon storage, human health and safety, animal care, economic contributions and more.

The study also pointed to areas the sector could still improve.

“We look forward to further collaborations and innovations to make a positive impact and meet our goals for the Canadian beef industry’s social, economic and environmental performance,” Beierbach said.

The report also reveals that land used for beef cattle production is estimated to store 1.9 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon, or 40 per cent of total soil carbon across the country’s ag landscape.

According to the CRSB, this is equivalent to the annual carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions from over two billion cars.

“This report on the Canadian beef industry’s advancements in sustainability is an important tool to track the sector’s progress towards its 2030 goals,” wrote federal agriculture minister Lawrence MacAulay in a news release.

“We can all be proud of the industry’s commitment to taking action to reduce their environmental footprint without compromising their high standards and commitment to quality they’re known for.”

The report also noted that beef land provides the majority of habitat wildlife needs for both reproduction (74 per cent) and feeding (55 per cent) when all of Canada’s crop and pastureland is considered. Despite an overall loss of wildlife habitat on Canada’s pasture and cropland, beef’s share in the remaining habitat land has increased.

The report “highlights the important role that beef production plays for preserving critical wildlife habitat and Canada’s grasslands,” wrote Brad Downey, chair of the CRSB’s scientific advisory committee.

“This report also enables transparency of the beef industry to the public and confirms significant progress based on sound data that sets the stage for meeting many of the Canadian beef industry’s 2030 goals through purposeful, science-based actions.”


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