Livestock and Climate Change

How livestock contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, how rising heat reduces milk yields, and ways to make the animal economy more climate-friendly.

Livestock and climate change affect each other in both directions.

Livestock as a source of emissions

Cattle, buffaloes, sheep and goats produce methane during digestion, a process called enteric fermentation. Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas.
Manure releases methane and nitrous oxide.
Feed production and land clearing add emissions.

The UN Food and Agriculture Organization estimated that livestock supply chains account for roughly 14.5 percent of global human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.

India has the world’s largest cattle and buffalo population, so livestock is a significant source of its methane emissions, although emissions per person are low.

Climate change affects livestock

Heat stress reduces feed intake, milk yields and fertility. High-yielding crossbred cows are especially sensitive.
Droughts reduce fodder availability and raise feed prices.
Disease patterns change as temperatures and rainfall shift.
Warming seas affect fisheries.

Reducing emissions

Higher productivity: healthier, better-fed animals produce more milk per unit of methane.
Improved feed: balanced rations and additives that reduce methane.
Biogas: capturing methane from dung to make cooking gas and fertiliser. India’s GOBARdhan initiative supports biogas plants.
Breeding: fewer, more productive animals.

Adapting to heat

Shade, fans, sprinklers and cool water for animals.
Heat-tolerant indigenous breeds.
Fodder banks and silage for dry periods.
Livestock insurance.

The balance

For millions of poor households, livestock is a lifeline. Policies must reduce emissions and help farmers adapt without harming livelihoods.

The summer dip

During a severe heatwave, a dairy farmer notices her crossbred cows' milk output falls by a fifth. She installs a simple shed with sprinklers and fans, and yields partly recover. Her local indigenous cow, more heat-tolerant, is less affected.

Thinking reducing livestock emissions means eliminating livestock

Higher productivity, better feed and biogas can cut emissions per litre of milk while protecting livelihoods.

Key takeaways

Livestock supply chains cause roughly 14.5 percent of global emissions, mainly methane.
Heat stress lowers milk yields and fertility.
Better feed, productivity and biogas can reduce emissions.
Shade, heat-tolerant breeds and fodder banks help adaptation.