There is arguably more land under the management of people producing beef, sheep, and goats than under any other industry. Having access to all these people and the land they manage provides an opportunity to impact a significant percentage of the world’s land area. Creating the incentives to encourage and reward climate friendly and nature positive livestock management practices is both one of the greatest challenges and largest opportunities to limit global warming.
The Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (https://grsbeef.org/) has grown to include 24 countries across 12 Roundtables. In 2021 GRSB set three goals, to reduce the net global warming impact of beef by 30% by 2030 on the pathway to climate neutrality, to become a net positive contributor to nature by 2030, and on animal welfare, to Provide cattle with an environment in which they can thrive. GRSB is now adding a fourth goal focusing on the social role of beef production from both the producer side and more broadly across society. Livestock have a key role in the maintenance of landscape, provision of nutrition, employment, religious and cultural events, and social status. This is especially relevant in many arid and lower income countries where livestock frequently is a cornerstone of food production and rural economies.
When the precursor to the GRSB first met in Denver in 2010 many people at the meeting had never sat in a room together. The meeting included a number of fairly beefy security guards because Ruaraidh was concerned things may get heated. It was a question of trust.
As people continued to meet over the next 10-12 years and got to know each other trust was built, especially as people realized they all wanted to head in the same direction, and they could actually learn from each other.
Methane emission is something that the industry has the ability to limit. Breeding companies are currently looking into using genetics to limit methane emission, improved grazing management also has a big role to play.
I recently caught up with Ruaraidh to hear more about his work. You can listen to his conversation here.
There is arguably more land under the management of people producing beef, sheep, and goats than under any other industry. Having access to all these people and the land they manage provides an opportunity to impact a significant percentage of the world’s land area. Creating the incentives to encourage and reward climate friendly and nature positive livestock management practices is both one of the greatest challenges and largest opportunities to limit global warming.
The Global Roundtable on Sustainable Beef (https://grsbeef.org/) has grown to include 24 countries across 12 Roundtables. In 2021 GRSB set three goals, to reduce the net global warming impact of beef by 30% by 2030 on the pathway to climate neutrality, to become a net positive contributor to nature by 2030, and on animal welfare, to Provide cattle with an environment in which they can thrive. GRSB is now adding a fourth goal focusing on the social role of beef production from both the producer side and more broadly across society. Livestock have a key role in the maintenance of landscape, provision of nutrition, employment, religious and cultural events, and social status. This is especially relevant in many arid and lower income countries where livestock frequently is a cornerstone of food production and rural economies.
When the precursor to the GRSB first met in Denver in 2010 many people at the meeting had never sat in a room together. The meeting included a number of fairly beefy security guards because Ruaraidh was concerned things may get heated. It was a question of trust.
As people continued to meet over the next 10-12 years and got to know each other trust was built, especially as people realized they all wanted to head in the same direction, and they could actually learn from each other.
Methane emission is something that the industry has the ability to limit. Breeding companies are currently looking into using genetics to limit methane emission, improved grazing management also has a big role to play.
I recently caught up with Ruaraidh to hear more about his work. You can listen to his conversation here.