Mitigate climate emissions by increasing livestock productivity.

Increasing livestock productivity has large scope to reduce greenhouse gas emissions (measured per unit of livestock product). Basic improvements in the world’s smallholder livestock systems could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from livestock by as much as 30%.

Unit emissions are significantly reduced by enhancing rangeland productivity through better pasture management and using higher productivity animals. Livestock are responsible for a significant share of GHG emissions but have a large mitigation potential, through reduction of emissions intensity and soil carbon sequestration.

Accurate localised data, which is frequently missing, on GHG emissions from livestock in developing countries show that improving livestock productivity offers significant climate change mitigation potential. 

Biogas digester plants on small dairy farms can reduce greenhouse gas emissions from manure.

Climate change mitigation policies should aim to enhance the efficiency of livestock production.

Funding should be channelled to the livestock sector to facilitate adoption of appropriate productivity-increasing technologies.