In a new analysis that aligns with COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, the foundation evaluated the emissions of 22 leading meat and dairy companies across Brazil, Canada, China, Japan, New Zealand, Switzerland, and the USA, as well as various EU nations.
The findings indicate that the current methane reduction commitments within the industry fall short of addressing its significant contribution to the escalating climate crisis. Furthermore, the foundation criticized the industry’s over-reliance on ineffective technological solutions and a glaring lack of public regulations that would effectively hold polluters accountable.
Consequently, Changing Markets is urging meat and dairy producers to establish short- and long-term climate targets that align with a 1.5°C temperature trajectory. This includes a call to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 alongside a transition towards more plant-based products, which would necessitate a decrease in livestock numbers.
Industry and Regulatory Change Needed
After analyzing agricultural policies across 11 countries, Changing Markets discovered that most national strategies do not impose mandatory requirements for reducing agricultural emissions or livestock production.
The foundation noted an industry primarily influenced by supply-side, technical policy solutions—particularly support for biogas from manure—which it argues are unlikely to achieve the necessary emissions reductions.
This analysis forms part of a new briefing titled ‘Big Emissions, Empty Promises,’ which reveals that of the 22 companies assessed, 15 have pledged voluntary net-zero targets. However, only three of these—Danone, Nestlé, and Lactalis—align their targets with the Science-Based Targets initiative’s (SBTi) 1.5°C goals for achieving net-zero by 2050.
Moreover, the briefing examined the impact of industry lobbying on national policies. It concluded that at least ten European Green Deal initiatives in the EU have been “derailed,” such as the dilution of the Farm to Fork strategy, which saw the removal of references to meat consumption reductions, and the lack of mandatory actions in the EU’s Methane Strategy.
Time to Act
“Our new analysis shows how big meat and dairy companies’ emissions continue to go unchecked thanks to the ongoing regulatory agricultural exceptionalism in the countries where the companies are headquartered,” said Alma Castrejon-Davila, senior campaigner at Changing Markets.
“When this is paired with weak voluntary commitments and initiatives that give us the impression that action is happening, the chance to limit climate catastrophe slips further away.”
Looking ahead, Castrejon-Davila stated that scientists emphasize the urgent need for global leaders to swiftly tackle methane emissions in order to uphold the 1.5°C limit.
“If we’re to achieve this goal, agriculture should no longer continue to get a free pass,” she added.
“As COP29 commences, we call on State Parties, especially those signed on to the Global Methane Pledge, to set methane reduction targets for the agricultural sector that finally put a limit to Big Meat and Dairy companies’ emissions.”
