How Cutting Beef in Rich Countries Can Lower CO2 Emissions

For years, scientists and environmental advocates have pushed for major cuts in meat production to help reduce emissions and fight climate change. However, a new study suggests that even a small reduction in beef production, particularly in wealthier nations, could remove as much as 125 billion tons of CO2 from the atmosphere—more than the total fossil fuel emissions of the past three years.

The research finds that reducing meat production by 13% in high-income countries could significantly lessen the land used for grazing livestock, enabling forests to naturally regenerate. This forest regrowth would help absorb and store carbon dioxide (CO2), leading to a substantial drop in fossil fuel emissions, equivalent to three years’ worth of global emissions.

According to Matthew N. Hayek, the study's lead author, even modest reductions in global beef production could lead to large-scale environmental benefits. By focusing on areas with high potential for carbon capture in forests, these strategies can reduce emissions while minimizing the impact on food security.

The study also emphasizes that pasturelands once covered by forests have significant potential to mitigate climate change. Removing livestock from these areas allows ecosystems to recover, capturing carbon in trees and soil. In wealthier countries, such as North America and Europe, many pasture areas could be converted into forests, offering a way to tackle climate change without reducing food production.

In contrast, the study suggests that efficiency improvements in livestock management in lower-income regions could help make up for the slight reduction in beef production in wealthier nations, creating a balance between food needs and climate action.

An even more ambitious scenario proposed by the researchers involves removing livestock from all potential native forest areas globally, which could sequester up to 445 gigatons of CO2 by the century’s end—equivalent to more than a decade’s worth of global emissions. This solution still allows grazing in native grasslands and dry rangelands, where forest growth is not feasible.

Using remote sensing technology, the researchers tracked pasture productivity to estimate how much carbon sequestration could result from cutting livestock numbers in specific regions. Their findings offer valuable insights into where beef production reductions could be prioritized and how forest restoration efforts can help meet both climate goals and food security needs.