Chapter 12: Livestock Production

In this chapter, livestock production is assessed in the context of the circular economy (CE). It starts with an overview of livestock production chains, followed by two country-level case studies: a discussion on the sustainability of beef production in Brazil, which is currently the largest beef-exporting nation globally; and an assessment of carbon cycles of pasturelands in Kenya. We then present a description of a global simulation tool on behavioural changes in diets, land use and livestock yield by 2050. The global simulation tool is called the Global Calculator, and can generate multiple scenarios for land use, energy and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Thus, the chapter provides a systems view on livestock production, from local to global, with theoretical simulations and practical examples. The results show that sustainable meat production is dependent on several interconnected issues, requiring complex systems models to be properly assessed and understood. However, two relatively simple measures can be taken in order to reduce the environmental footprint of livestock production: a sustainable increase in livestock productivity along with a reduction in per capita meat consumption, especially in nations that already have high consumption levels. To this end, actions related to agricultural management, land multiuse, behavioural changes and animal welfare must be part of a policy agenda for climate change mitigation and environmental conservation worldwide.