Calculate your personal carbon footprint
Find out what impact your consumption has on our climate! Use our interactive calculator to calculate your individual emissions – based on your meat consumption and other relevant factors. Simply enter the amount and instantly receive a transparent calculation of your methane emissions, the associated water consumption, and an estimate of the resulting temperature increase. Every step counts – start now and optimize your contribution to climate protection!
Methane emissions – the invisible greenhouse gas from livestock farming
Our atmosphere is heavily polluted by methane – a greenhouse gas that is up to 86 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide in the short term. Livestock farming, where ruminants release enormous amounts of methane through their digestion, is particularly evident in how our consumption and production methods are putting the climate on alert.
What are methane emissions?
Methane (CH₄) is a colorless, odorless gas released during natural processes as well as human activities. In agriculture, a large proportion of methane is produced by fermentation in the digestive system of ruminants such as cattle and sheep. These emissions contribute significantly to the greenhouse effect and thus to climate change.
Facts and figures – An overview of methane emissions in livestock farming
Here you'll get an in-depth look at the alarming numbers surrounding methane emissions from livestock farming—from global emission levels to animal-specific averages to the economic and environmental costs. These data clearly demonstrate the significant contribution livestock farming makes to global warming and why action to reduce these emissions is urgently needed.
Global livestock farming and methane production
Global emissions
Worldwide, an estimated 100 to 120 million tons of methane (CH₄) are released annually in livestock farming.
Share of agricultural emissions
In many industrialized countries, more than 70% of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions are methane, which is mainly produced by the digestion of ruminants.
Methane emissions per animal and climate impact
Individual emissions
On average, a single cow produces about 100 kilograms of methane per year – an amount that, although relatively small, is enormously significant due to the high climate impact of methane.
Climate impact
Over a period of 100 years, methane is about 20 to 28 times more potent than carbon dioxide (CO₂). Even small amounts can therefore significantly amplify the greenhouse effect.
Regional differences and trends
Contribution in industrialized countries
In Germany, for example, around 75.9% of methane emissions in the agricultural sector are attributable to livestock farming.
Reduction potential
Through optimized feeding strategies and improved manure management, some regions have already been able to reduce methane emissions by 10–15%.
Meat consumption and its impact on methane emissions
Meat consumption is a major driver of methane emissions from livestock farming. The following data illustrates the impact:
Germany
Between 1961 and 2011, average meat consumption rose from 64 kg to 90 kg per capita per year.
Between 2014 and 2020, per capita meat consumption was between 84.5 and 90 kg, while actual consumption is estimated to be between 57 and 61 kg per year.
Since 2000, annual meat consumption in Germany has remained largely constant at 57 to 61 kg, which corresponds to a daily consumption of approximately 160–170 g.
According to the National Consumption Study II, the average daily meat consumption is 83 g for women and 160 g for men.
The Heinrich Böll Foundation predicts that a German consumes between 635 and 715 animals in his or her lifetime.
International comparisons
In the USA, average meat consumption is about 120 kg per capita per year, while in Bangladesh and India consumption is about 4 kg per capita.
Worldwide, the average meat consumption is about 42 kg per capita per year.
Meat waste
In 2015, approximately 235,500 tons of meat ended up as avoidable waste in Germany, distributed across various production stages: 150,000 tons before slaughter, 32,200 tons during processing, and 53,300 tons in retail.
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Economic and ecological costs
Climate impacts
Increased methane emissions contribute significantly to global warming, leading to extreme weather, melting glaciers and rising sea levels.
Economic burdens
The indirect costs caused by methane emissions – such as damage from extreme weather and adaptation costs – amount to billions of euros annually worldwide.
Impact of methane emissions
Increased methane emissions intensify the greenhouse effect and lead to faster rising temperatures, extreme weather events and the melting of glaciers.
Methane contributes to the acidification of soils and waters, which in the long term threatens ecosystems and biodiversity.
Indirectly, climate change affects habitats, endangers species and also has health consequences, such as increased air pollution, which can promote respiratory and cardiovascular diseases.
Measures to reduce
Feeding optimization: Adapted feed can reduce methane production in the animals’ digestive tract.
Efficient manure management: Modern storage and treatment methods can significantly reduce methane emissions.
Livestock management: Reducing livestock numbers or switching to alternative forms of animal husbandry contributes to reducing emissions.
Technological innovations: The use of methane reducers and innovative breeding methods offer additional potential for sustainably reducing emissions.
What can you do?
Each of us can contribute to reducing methane emissions—especially through conscious dietary choices and supporting sustainable agricultural practices. Here are some measures you can incorporate into your daily life:
Eat less red meat: Reduce your consumption of beef and lamb, as these products cause particularly high methane emissions.
Choose plant-based alternatives: Increase your focus on a plant-based diet to reduce your carbon footprint.
Buy regional and organic: When buying meat, dairy products and other animal products, look for products from organic and regional farming.
Raise awareness: Educate yourself and share your knowledge about the impact of livestock farming on the climate to raise awareness among others.
Political engagement: Support initiatives and organizations that promote sustainable agriculture and methane reduction.
Each of us has the power to make a difference – start today and do your part to reduce methane emissions and protect our climate!