Potential Role for Consumers to Reduce Canadian Agricultural GHG Emissions by Diversifying Animal Protein Sources
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. GHG Emission Estimates
2.2. Production Scenarios
2.3. Projected Crop Areas
3. Results
3.1. Scenario-Based GHG Emissions
3.2. Projected Scenario Land Use
3.3. Scenario Impacts on Sector-Wide GHG
4. Discussion
4.1. Livestock Management and Consumer Choices
4.2. Scenario Analysis Implications
5. Conclusions
Author Contributions
Funding
Conflicts of Interest
Abbreviations
GHG | Greenhouse Gas |
LW | Live Weights |
CW | Carcass Weights |
RM | Red Meat |
P | Production |
C | Consumption |
NPI | National Protein Intake |
PS | Production Scenario |
OECD | Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development |
FAO | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations |
n | PS number |
Δ | Difference |
ΔPS-n | First order difference |
Δ2PS-n | Second order difference |
A | Land use Area |
LCC | Livestock Crop Complex |
BAU | Business As Usual |
GF | Grass Fed |
References
- Hedenus, F.; Wirsenius, S.; Johansson, D.J.A. The importance of reduced meat and dairy consumption for meeting stringent climate change targets. Clim. Chang. 2014, 124, 79–91. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Gerber, P.J.; Steinfeld, H.; Henderson, B.; Mottet, A.; Opio, C.; Dijkman, J.; Falcucci, A.; Tempio, G. Tackling Climate Change through Livestock—A Global Assessment of Emissions and Mitigation Opportunities; Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO): Rome, Italy, 2013; Available online: http://www.fao.org/3/a-i3437e.pdf (accessed on 8 May 2020).
- Government of Canada. Canada’s Food Guide—Healthy Eating and the Environment. Date Modified: 2019-01-14. Available online: https://food-guide.canada.ca/en/tips-for-healthy-eating/healthy-eating-and-the-environment/ (accessed on 2 May 2020).
- Flanagan, R. What’s on Your Plate? Inside the Changes to Canada’s Food Guide. CTVNews. 23 January 2019. Available online: https://www.ctvnews.ca/health/what-s-on-your-plate-inside-the-changes-to-canada-s-food-guide-1.4265399 (accessed on 15 May 2020).
- Kramer, L. The Future of Meat is Shifting to Plant-Based Products. Department of Management, University of Toronto. Available online: https://www.utoronto.ca/news/future-meat-shifting-plant-based-products-u-t-expert (accessed on 15 May 2020).
- Dyer, J.A.; Worth, D.E.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Desjardins, R.L. Impact of recommended red meat consumption in Canada on the carbon footprint of Canadian livestock production. J. Clean. Prod. 2020, 266, 121785. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Shakeri, S. Dietitian Breaks Down Andrew Scheer’s Food Guide Comments. HuffPost Canada. Available online: https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/andrew-scheer-food-guide-fact-check_ca_5d3268c1e4b0419fd32d31de? (accessed on 15 May 2020).
- Veeramani, A. Carbon Footprinting Dietary Choices in Ontario: A life cycle approach to assessing sustainable, healthy & socially acceptable diets. In A Thesis Presented to the University of Waterloo in Fulfillment of the Thesis Requirement for the Degree of Master of Environmental Studies in Sustainability Management; Waterloo University: Waterloo, ON, Canada, 2015; p. 173. [Google Scholar]
- Heller, M.C.; Keoleian, G.A. Greenhouse gas emission estimates of US dietary choices and food loss. J. Ind. Ecol. 2015, 19, 391–401. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dyer, J.A.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D.E. The protein-based GHG emission intensity for livestock products in Canada. J. Sustain. Agric. 2010, 34, 618–629. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- ECCC. National Inventory Report 1990–2017: Greenhouse Gas Sources and Sinks in Canada. Table A10–2 Canada’s GHG Emissions by Canadian Economic Sector, 1990–2017. Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC). Cat. No.: En81-4/1E-PDF, ISSN: 2371–1329. Available online: http://publications.gc.ca/collections/collection_2019/eccc/En81-4-2017-3-eng.pdf (accessed on 3 June 2020).
- Vergé, X.P.C.; Dyer, J.A.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D. Greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian beef industry. Agric. Syst. 2008, 98, 126–134. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vergé, X.P.C.; Dyer, J.A.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D. Long Term trends in greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian poultry industry. J. Appl. Poult. Res. 2009, 18, 210–222. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vergé, X.P.C.; Dyer, J.A.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D. Greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian pork industry. Livest. Sci. 2009, 121, 92–101. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vergé, X.P.C.; Dyer, J.A.; Worth, D.E.; Smith, W.N.; Desjardins, R.L.; McConkey, B.G. A greenhouse gas and soil carbon model for estimating the carbon footprint of livestock production in Canada. Animals 2012, 2, 437–454. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Poore, J.; Nemecek, T. Reducing food’s environmental impacts through producers and consumer. Science 2018, 360, 987–992. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Dyer, J.A.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D.E. District Scale GHG Emission Indicators for Canadian Field Crop and Livestock Production. Agronomy 2018, 8, 190. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D.E.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Maxime, D.; Dyer, J.; Cerkowniak, D. Carbon Footprint of Beef Cattle. Sustainability 2012, 4, 3279–3301. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Sabia, E.; Kühl, S.; Flach, L.; Lambertz, C.; Gauly, M. Effect of Feed Concentrate Intake on the Environmental Impact of Dairy Cows in an Alpine Mountain Region Including Soil Carbon Sequestration and Effect on Biodiversity. Sustainability 2020, 12, 2128. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Dyer, J.A.; Vergé, X. The Role of Canadian Agriculture in Meeting Increased Global Protein Demand with Low Carbon Emitting Production. Agronomy 2015, 5, 569–586. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
- Statistics Canada Table 32-10-0130-01 Number of cattle, by class and farm type (× 1,000). Date modified: 2019-03-05. Available online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/t1/tbl1/en/tv.action?pid=3210013001 (accessed on 15 May 2020).
- Janzen, H.H.; Desjardins, R.L.; Asselin, J.M.R.; Grace, B. (Eds.) The Health of Our Air–Toward Sustainable Agriculture in Canada. Available online: https://atrium.lib.uoguelph.ca/xmlui/bitstream/handle/10214/15124/FDMR_healthy_air.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y (accessed on 2 July 2020).
- AAFC. Protein Disappearance of Animal Protein Sources in Canada—Per Capita Disappearance. Agriculture and Agri-food Canada (AAFC). Available online: http://www.agr.gc.ca/eng/animal-industry/poultry-and-eggs/poultry-and-egg-market-information/industry-indicators/per-capita-disappearance/?id=1384971854413 (accessed on 27 April 2020).
- Beauchemin, K.A.; McGinn, S.M. Methane emissions from feedlot cattle fed barley or corn diets. J. Anim. Sci. 2005, 83, 653–661. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
- Van Haarlem, R.P.; Gao, A.Z.; Desjardins, R.L.; Flesch, T.K. Methane and ammonia emissions from a commercial beef feedlot. Can. J. Anim. Sci. 2008, 88, 641–649. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Liang, C.; MacDonald, J.D.; Desjardins, R.L.; McConkey, B.G.; Beauchemin, K.A.; Flemming, C.; Cerkowniak, D.; Blondel, A. Beef cattle production impacts soil carbon storage. Sci. Total Environ. 2020, 718, 137273. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Dyer, J.A.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Desjardins, R.L.; McConkey, B.G. Implications of biofuel feedstock crops for the livestock feed industry in Canada. In Environmental Impact of Biofuels; InTech Open Access Publisher: Rijeka, Croatia, 2011; p. 270. Available online: https://www.intechopen.com/books/environmental-impact-of-biofuels/implications-of-biofuel-feedstock-crops-for-the-livestock-feed-industry-in-canada (accessed on 26 May 2020).
- Elward, M.; McLaughlin, B.; Alain, B. Livestock Feed Requirements Study 1999–2001. Catalogue No. 23-501-XIE, Statistics Canada. Available online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/pub/23-501-x/23-501-x2003001-eng.pdf?st=AEOSZEeY (accessed on 21 April 2020).
- OECD. Meats—OECD-FAO Agricultural Outlook 2017–2026. Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). Available online: https://stats.oecd.org/index.aspx?queryid=76854# (accessed on 27 April 2020).
- Dyer, J.A.; Vergé, X.P.C.; Kulshreshtha, S.N.; Desjardins, R.L.; McConkey, B.G. Areas and greenhouse gas emissions from feed crops not used in Canadian livestock production in 2001. J. Sustain. Agric. 2011, 35, 780–803. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dyer, J.A.; Hendrickson, O.Q.; Desjardins, R.L.; Andrachuk, H.L. An Environmental Impact Assessment of Biofuel Feedstock Production on Agro-Ecosystem Biodiversity in Canada. In Agricultural Policies: New Developments; Laura, M., Ed.; Nova Science Publishers Inc.: Hauppauge, NY, USA, 2011; p. 281. ISBN 978-1-61209-630-8. [Google Scholar]
- Howarth, R.W.; Bringezu, S.; Bekunda, M.; de Fraiture, C.; Maene, L.; Martinelli, L.; Sala, O. Rapid assessment on biofuels and environment: Overview and key findings. In Biofuels: Environmental Consequences and Interactions with Changing Land Use; Cornell University: Ithaca, NY, USA, 2009; Available online: https://ecommons.cornell.edu/handle/1813/46196 (accessed on 23 April 2020).
- UNEP. Towards Sustainable Production and Use of Resources: Assessing Biofuels; United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP): Paris, France, 2009; ISBN1 978-92-807-3052-4. Available online: http://www.unep.fr/shared/publications/pdf/WEBx0149xPA-AssessingBiofuelsSummary.pdf (accessed on 21 December 2019)ISBN2 978-92-807-3052-4.
- Statistics Canada. Snapshot of Canadian Agriculture. 2006. Available online: https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/ca-ra2006/articles/snapshot-portrait-eng.htm (accessed on 15 May 2020.).
- Statistics Canada. Table 32-10-0406-01: Land Use 2020; Government Canada: Ottawa, ON, Canada, 2020. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Vergé, X.P.C.; Dyer, J.A.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D. Greenhouse gas emissions from the Canadian dairy industry during 2001. Agric. Syst. 2007, 94, 683–693. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
Year | Beef | Pork | Broilers | Total | Beef | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mt{LW} | ||||||
2001 | 3.0 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 6.8 | ||
2017 | 2.5 | 2.8 | 1.3 | 6.5 | ||
Mt CO2e | ||||||
2001 | 31.4 | 6.0 | 1.5 | 38.9 | ||
2017 | 25.7 | 6.1 | 1.8 | 33.5 | ||
Mha {grain} | Mha {forage} | |||||
2001 | 2.0 | 2.8 | 0.7 | 5.5 | 6.1 | |
2017 | BAU 1 | 1.6 | 2.8 | 0.8 | 5.3 | 5.0 |
GF 2 | 0.7 | 4.4 | 7.8 |
C | PS-1 | PS-2 | PS-3 | PS-4 | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mt CO2e | |||||
Total GHG | 20.6 | 16.7 | 19.1 | 12.9 | 11.7 |
ΔPS-n 1 | 3.9 | 1.5 | 7.7 | 8.9 | |
Δ2PS-n 2 | −2.5 | 3.8 | |||
Δ2PS-4 3 | 5.0 | ||||
n = | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |
Beef | Pork | Broilers | Total | Beef | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
grains | grains | grains | grains | roughage | |
Mha | |||||
C 1 | 1.0 | 1.0 | 1.1 | 3.1 | 3.1 |
PS-1 | 0.8 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 2.3 |
PS-2 | 0.4 | 0.7 | 1.5 | 2.6 | 4.4 |
PS-3 | 0.2 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 2.9 | 2.2 |
PS-4 | 0.4 | 1.1 | 1.5 | 3.0 | 1.2 |
© 2020 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Dyer, J.A.; Desjardins, R.L.; Worth, D.E.; Vergé, X.P.C. Potential Role for Consumers to Reduce Canadian Agricultural GHG Emissions by Diversifying Animal Protein Sources. Sustainability 2020, 12, 5466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135466
Dyer JA, Desjardins RL, Worth DE, Vergé XPC. Potential Role for Consumers to Reduce Canadian Agricultural GHG Emissions by Diversifying Animal Protein Sources. Sustainability. 2020; 12(13):5466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135466
Chicago/Turabian StyleDyer, James A., Raymond L. Desjardins, Devon E. Worth, and Xavier P.C. Vergé. 2020. "Potential Role for Consumers to Reduce Canadian Agricultural GHG Emissions by Diversifying Animal Protein Sources" Sustainability 12, no. 13: 5466. https://doi.org/10.3390/su12135466