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The carbon opportunity cost of animal-sourced food production on land

Author

Listed:
  • Matthew N. Hayek

    (New York University)

  • Helen Harwatt

    (Harvard Law School)

  • William J. Ripple

    (Oregon State University)

  • Nathaniel D. Mueller

    (Colorado State University
    Colorado State University)

Abstract

Extensive land uses to meet dietary preferences incur a ‘carbon opportunity cost’ given the potential for carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration. Here we map the magnitude of this opportunity, finding that shifts in global food production to plant-based diets by 2050 could lead to sequestration of 332–547 GtCO2, equivalent to 99–163% of the CO2 emissions budget consistent with a 66% chance of limiting warming to 1.5 °C.

Suggested Citation

  • Matthew N. Hayek & Helen Harwatt & William J. Ripple & Nathaniel D. Mueller, 2021. "The carbon opportunity cost of animal-sourced food production on land," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 4(1), pages 21-24, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:nat:natsus:v:4:y:2021:i:1:d:10.1038_s41893-020-00603-4
    DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00603-4
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. M. Kanerva, 2022. "Consumption Corridors and the Case of Meat," Journal of Consumer Policy, Springer, vol. 45(4), pages 619-653, December.
    2. Blignaut, James & Meissner, Heinz & Smith, Hendrik & du Toit, Linde, 2022. "An integrative bio-physical approach to determine the greenhouse gas emissions and carbon sinks of a cow and her offspring in a beef cattle operation: A system dynamics approach," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 195(C).
    3. Paul Fesenfeld, Lukas & Maier, Maiken & Brazzola, Nicoletta & Stolz, Niklas & Sun, Yixian & Kachi, Aya, 2023. "How information, social norms, and experience with novel meat substitutes can create positive political feedback and demand-side policy change," Food Policy, Elsevier, vol. 117(C).
    4. Katz-Rosene, Ryan & Heffernan, Andrew & Arora, Anil, 2023. "Protein pluralism and food systems transition: A review of sustainable protein meta-narratives," World Development, Elsevier, vol. 161(C).
    5. Jakub Mazurkiewicz, 2022. "Analysis of the Energy and Material Use of Manure as a Fertilizer or Substrate for Biogas Production during the Energy Crisis," Energies, MDPI, vol. 15(23), pages 1-20, November.
    6. Richard Twine, 2021. "Emissions from Animal Agriculture—16.5% Is the New Minimum Figure," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(11), pages 1-8, June.
    7. Jakub Mazurkiewicz, 2023. "The Impact of Manure Use for Energy Purposes on the Economic Balance of a Dairy Farm," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(18), pages 1-22, September.
    8. Adam C. Castonguay & Stephen Polasky & Matthew H. Holden & Mario Herrero & Daniel Mason-D’Croz & Cecile Godde & Jinfeng Chang & James Gerber & G. Bradd Witt & Edward T. Game & Brett A. Bryan & Brendan, 2023. "Navigating sustainability trade-offs in global beef production," Nature Sustainability, Nature, vol. 6(3), pages 284-294, March.
    9. Vasileios Takavakoglou & Eleanna Pana & Dimitris Skalkos, 2022. "Constructed Wetlands as Nature-Based Solutions in the Post-COVID Agri-Food Supply Chain: Challenges and Opportunities," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(6), pages 1-14, March.
    10. Nooshin Karimi Alavijeh & Nasrin Salehnia & Narges Salehnia & Matheus Koengkan, 2023. "The effects of agricultural development on CO2 emissions: empirical evidence from the most populous developing countries," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(10), pages 12011-12031, October.
    11. Martin C. Parlasca & Matin Qaim, 2022. "Meat Consumption and Sustainability," Annual Review of Resource Economics, Annual Reviews, vol. 14(1), pages 17-41, October.

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