Changes in Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Livestock Production, Meat Consumption and Trade in China

Abstract

Livestock sector are the primary sources of non-CO2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, animal-based foods play a significant role in ensuring nutrition security and mitigating climate change. This study calculated the non-CO2 GHG emissions from livestock production (include poultry) and meat consumption (beef, pork, mutton and poultry), and simulated the trade pattern of meat by the Sino-TERM, to identify the transfer emissions from meat trade. The results showed that the non-CO2 GHG emissions from livestock production has maintained a steady decline at approximately 170 Mt CO2-eq in recent years and the non-CO2 GHG emissions from meat consumption has rapidly increased to 89.5 Mt CO2-eq. Interprovincial meat trade facilitated the transfer of 1275 Mt CO2-eq non-CO2 GHG, the characteristic of emissions in the central and the southwestern while consumption in the southeast was evident in the emissions transfer pattern. International meat trade resulted in 96 Mt CO2-eq non-CO2 GHG emissions export, with annual exports representing only 3 % to 9 % of production. Reducing food waste and ensuring equitable regional emission responsibilities is imperative for mitigating non-CO2 GHG emissions from the livestock sector.