Cattle and global warming: the new study

Global warming and livestock farming

A recent study has recalculated the global warming potential (GWP) of methane emitted by Italian livestock supply chains , providing new information on their real carbon footprint.

The work, carried out by the Department of Agriculture of the University of Naples Federico II in collaboration with the Council for research in agriculture and the analysis of agricultural economics (CREA) and the University of Sassari , analyzed in particular the share of methane emitted from the rumen of ruminants.

Do cows contribute to global warming?

According to the study, the GWP of rumen methane emitted by Italian livestock chains was overestimated in the calculation system currently used internationally, the Kyoto Protocol , which classified it as a greenhouse gas 28 times more potent than CO2. The recalculation instead indicated a lower GWP factor, equal to 21 times that of CO2 .

The result of the research is of great importance, as it provides updated data for the assessment of the sustainability of Italian livestock supply chains . It is important to note, however, that even if the warming potential of rumen methane is lower than previously estimated , emissions of this gas remain an important issue for the environmental impact of livestock supply chains.

A genuine supply chain in many respects

In this context, projects such as Carnegenuina.it can represent an important solution to reduce the environmental impact of Italian livestock supply chains . The project promotes the production of high-quality meat with a low carbon footprint , using sustainable techniques for animal and resource management, in order to achieve zero-impact meat .

Carnegenuina.it is committed to reducing the carbon footprint of meat through the choice of indigenous breeds , the production of GMO-free animal feed and the reduction of animal transport , among other strategies.

Furthermore, the project provides for the compensation of greenhouse gas emissions through the support of projects to reduce CO2 emissions and the promotion of sustainable agricultural practices .

In summary, research on the reduction of the GWP of methane emitted by Italian livestock supply chains represents a step forward in understanding the sustainability of livestock activities .

However, it is important to continue to develop and promote projects such as Carnegenuina.it , which actively engage in reducing and offsetting the carbon footprint of meat , thus contributing to a more sustainable future for the agri-food sector.