We use this research to underpin our advocacy efforts.
Life-cycle assessment on the carbon footprint of beef and lamb
In 2022 we released a comprehensive study by world leading experts on life-cycle assessment (LCA) at AgResearch that confirmed the carbon footprint of New Zealand beef and lamb is amongst the lowest in the world.
The study, commissioned with the Meat Industry Association, was peer-reviewed and published in the Environmental Impact Assessment journal. It used both the standard GWP100 approach in order to enable international comparisons but also used GWP* which showed that when taking into account sequestration New Zealand’s sheepmeat is arguably ‘climate neutral’ and New Zealand beef is well on the way towards that.
This work provides evidence for farmers, consumers and policymakers and is used as part of marketing our red meat internationally. It also reinforces our calls for the government to report on warming as well as emissions, and to review the methane targets based on a warming approach.
Find the media release about this research (including links to the report and a summary) here: https://beeflambnz.com/news/new-zealand-beef-and-lamb-among-most-carbon-efficient-world
Quantifying on-farm sequestration
In 2020 we released independent peer-reviewed research led by the University of Auckland’s Dr Bradley Case showing the amount of carbon being offset by the woody vegetation on New Zealand sheep and beef farms.
This research was an important contribution to the conversation around recognising farmers for the carbon-sequestering vegetation on their farms.
The Ministry for the Environment subsequently undertook its own research and while the numbers between the two reports differed, they both showed there is a significant amount of sequestration happening.
We continue to argue that farmers should be recognised for this.
Find the media release about this research (including links to the report and a summary) here: https://beeflambnz.com/news/new-zealand-sheep-and-beef-farms-close-being-carbon-neutral-new-research