New Zealand beef and lamb among the most carbon efficient in world

A recent study by AgResearch, commissioned by Beef + Lamb New Zealand and the Meat Industry Association of New Zealand, has found that New Zealand's sheepmeat and beef have some of the lowest carbon footprints in the world. The research utilized the GWP100 approach to calculate the carbon footprint per kilo, with sheepmeat at 14.7kg CO2e and beef at 21.8kg CO2e. When considering the GWP* approach over a 20-year period, New Zealand sheepmeat is effectively climate neutral, and beef is significantly reducing its warming impact. The study highlights New Zealand's efficient farming practices and the absorption of emissions by trees and vegetation on farms, with a 30% reduction in greenhouse emissions since 1990. The researchers note the importance of accurately measuring and reporting environmental impacts to support sustainable food choices and are calling for the use of GWP* in assessments to better understand the warming effects of methane. The study was released in conjunction with a review in the Environmental Impact Assessment Review journal, emphasizing the novel use of GWP* in Life Cycle Assessments and the emerging discussion on the term 'climate neutral' in the context of food production.