The Long and Tough Journey to Sustainable Beef in Colombia

Livestock production in Colombia has long been a pillar of the country’s economy, providing livelihoods for rural communities and ensuring a steady supply of beef to both domestic and international markets. However, as climate change intensifies and the call for more sustainable practices grows louder, this industry, like many others, must confront its environmental impact. One of the key contributors to livestock’s carbon footprint is the transportation of beef – a factor often overlooked when discussing the environmental impacts of livestock production.

Our recent article “The carbon footprint of beef transport in Colombia: market connections and distribution networks” brought emissions from the transportation of beef into sharper focus, highlighting the need for more sustainable logistics in Colombia’s beef supply chain. The findings reveal that while beef transport emissions may not be the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the livestock production chain, they still pose significant environmental challenges that must be addressed.