Greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production tripled those from household consumption in the Eurasian desert steppe

Abstract

Background: Family ranches are major sources of livestock-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in global pastoral ecosystems. We conducted semi-structured interviews and collected data on livestock production and the livelihoods of 235 family ranches in a desert steppe of Inner Mongolia where intensive pastoral management is practiced. A cradle-to-farmgate life cycle assessment (LCA) was performed with functional units standardized as 1 kg live weight (LW) for beef cattle and meat sheep breeds. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was employed to elucidate the socioeconomic forcing mechanisms on GHG emissions. Results: Live weight GHG emission varied substantially by livestock type, descending from cows (59.89 kg CO2e/kg) to yearlings (36.32 kg CO2e/kg), bulls (22.26 kg CO2e/kg), calves (20.92 kg CO2e/kg) and meat sheep breeds (19.66 kg CO2e/kg), and GHG emissions from livestock production accounted 77.95% of the total GHG emissions of the family ranches, more than three times those from household life consumption (22.05%). Enteric fermentation in livestock was the dominant GHG emission source (68.15%), followed by food consumption (8.58%) and coal combustion (8.13%). Among demographic characteristics, economic status appears the primary factor influencing the total GHG emission. Conclusions: Our micro-scale analysis provides insight for addressing GHG mitigation in pastoral systems through coupling the socioeconomic forcing mechanisms on methane emissions. We advocate the use of methane-inhibiting feed additives and shifts toward heating systems that use renewable energy while sustaining pastoral life, offering actionable pathways for low-carbon transition in extensively grazed pastoral systems.