Can cattle production grow without cooking the planet? Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
Cattle are central to food systems and rural livelihoods across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The region supplies nearly half of global beef exports and is a major producer of milk. Yet, cattle production is also one of the largest drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, deforestation, and energy use in agriculture. This raises a critical question for the region’s future: Can cattle production continue to grow without intensifying environmental damage?
- Climate-Smart Agriculture
- crops
- Greenhouse Gas Reduction
- livestock
Can cattle production grow without cooking the planet? Lessons from Latin America and the Caribbean
Cattle are central to food systems and rural livelihoods across Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The region supplies nearly half of global beef exports and is a major producer of milk. Yet, cattle production is also one of the largest drivers of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, deforestation, and energy use in agriculture. This raises a critical question for the region’s future: Can cattle production continue to grow without intensifying environmental damage?
A recent study focusing on LAC offers new insights into this dilemma by looking beyond land use and methane alone. Instead, it places energy intensity (how much energy is used per unit of agricultural output) at the center of the analysis. Using advanced econometric models and data from 12 LAC countries over nearly two decades, the study uncovers a clear causal chain linking cattle production, energy use, and emissions.