The Contribution of Livestock Production to Greenhouse Gases Emissions and the Possible Mitigation Strategies: A Review

Abstract

This review was attempted to collect information on the contribution of livestock production to greenhouse gases (GHGs) emission and the possible mitigation options. Animal husbandry accounts for 18% of GHGs emission which has a bigger share than that of transport sectors that account for 13% of GHGs emission. Livestock sector account for an estimated 9% of CO2, 35-40% of CH4 and 65% of N2O global emissions.  Livestock production also generates 64% of human related ammonia. The major sources of agricultural CH4
emission are ruminants, rice cultivation, poor quality feed, handling and processing of livestock manure, and biomass burning. In livestock production systems, grazing, livestock-crop and intensive system contribute for 30.5%, 67.29% and 5.51% of CH4 and 24.32%, 68.11% and 7.57% of N2O emissions, respectively. As mitigation options, organic farming, pigs and poultry production, intensive livestock production system, livestock management, nutritional and advanced biotechnological strategies are the main GHGs emission mitigation strategies. In conclusion, addressing livestock issues to GHGs emission requires multifaceted approaches including choosing of the types of meat we eat and replacing omnivorous diet with a vegan diet.