Is red meat farming environmentally sustainable?

Australian farmers use a range of sustainable farming practices. These include managing emissions and water use, increasing biodiversity, creating energy efficiencies, reducing waste and implementing environmentally sustainable land management practices....

Can red meat be carbon neutral

The Australian red meat and livestock industry has shown global leadership by setting a voluntary target to be carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30). Learn more

What impact does red meat have on native biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all lifeforms found in one area; the different plants, animals and micro-organisms that live there, as well as the ecosystems in which they exist. Fresh...

Reducing the Environmental Impact of Meat

Name: Meet the Austin Family
Uploaded: 2021-10-25T07:14:01+11:00
Description: Stuart Austin and his family are passionate about the stewardship of soil, water, plants and animals on their cattle farm.

How red meat is good for the environment

Did you know that as at 2021 net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the red meat & livestock industry had fallen by 78.56% since 2005 and that the amount of freshwater used when raising cattle was found to decline 18% in the five years to 2020 and was 400L per kg liveweight. This was 73% lower than the five years to 1985.

Environmental insights

Keen to learn more about red meat and the environment? Simply choose a topic of interest from the drop-down menu.

Global warming and emissions

Discover how the red meat industry actively working to reduce emissions.

78% reduction in net greenhouse gas emissions since 2005

A new research report released by MLA has shown that the Australian red meat and livestock industry has reduced its net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 78% since 2005.

Making every day Earth Day

How the Australian red meat industry is investing in our planet.

Red meat and emissions reduction

Here is why carbon neutral red meat is good meat, with the Australian red meat industry actively working to reduce net greenhouse gas emissions.

Red meat and greenhouse gas emissions

Get the facts on cows, methane, greenhouse gas emissions and climate change.

Natural resource management

The Australian red meat industry is leading the world with its biodiversity, reforestation and sustainability initiatives.

Red meat and sustainability

How the Australian red meat industry is implementing environmentally sustainable practices.

Biodiversity and red meat

How fresh approaches to grazing are helping farming and native biodiversity coexist.

Red meat and water use

How much water does it take to produce 1kg of beef? The red meat industry is more water-efficient than you might think.

Red meat and land use

How livestock makes the best use of available land in Australia.

Red meat joins the war on waste

The Australian red meat industry is dedicated to reducing its waste, and has a set a long-term goal of zero waste discharge. Zero waste revolves around redirecting waste towards recycling, beneficial re-use or new value-add by-product streams.

Red meat and trees

The red meat industry's commitment to the environment includes an extensive vegetation-planting program.

Red meat and renewable energy

The Australian red meat industry is investing in research and development aimed at helping red meat producers adopt viable renewable energy.

Industry initiatives

The Australian red meat industry takes its environmental responsibilities seriously. Find out what the industry is doing to become more sustainable.

Industry initiatives

The Australian red meat industry is intrinsically connected with the land and its natural resources, which is why it takes its environmental responsibilities seriously.

Red meat and carbon neutrality

The Australian red meat and livestock industry's goal is to be carbon neutral.

Meet the Austin Family

Stuart Austin and his family are passionate about the stewardship of soil, water, plants and animals on their cattle farm.

Frequently asked questions

Is red meat farming environmentally sustainable?

Australian farmers use a range of sustainable farming practices. These include managing emissions and water use, increasing biodiversity, creating energy efficiencies, reducing waste and implementing environmentally sustainable land management practices.

Learn more
How much water does it take to produce 1kg of beef?

Thanks to improved practices, it takes 73% less water for cattle to gain 1kg of weight than it took 30 years ago.

Learn more
Can red meat be carbon neutral

The Australian red meat and livestock industry has shown global leadership by setting a voluntary target to be carbon neutral by 2030 (CN30).

Learn more
What impact does red meat have on native biodiversity?

Biodiversity is the variety of all lifeforms found in one area; the different plants, animals and micro-organisms that live there, as well as the ecosystems in which they exist. Fresh approaches to grazing are helping farming and native biodiversity coexist.

Learn more