A framework for assessing the effects of shock events on livestock and environment in sub-Saharan Africa: The COVID-19 pandemic in northern Kenya

Livestock are the primary source of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in most African countries, but there is a paucity of baseline data and monitoring of greenhouse gas emissions from livestock in Africa, particularly for extreme or shock events.

The COVID-19 pandemic represents a novel shock to livestock systems and may result in indirect effects on livestock emissions and other Sustainable Development Goals. Due to the pandemic in 2020, extensive pastoralist livestock systems in northern Kenya were subjected to restrictions on movement, increased costs of transportation and closure of livestock markets.

This study was therefore carried out to assess the indirect effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on greenhouse gas emissions from livestock systems in northern Kenya using proxy data and a three-part framework based on changes in herd size, feed availability and livestock movement.