As world leaders gather in Brazil for COP30, the spotlight has turned to the country’s vast livestock sector. Brazil is one of the largest beef exporters globally, with the industry contributing over eight percent (8.4%) of its GDP and providing millions of jobs. Yet livestock is also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, raising questions about how countries can balance economic growth with climate responsibility.
Brazil’s experience offers lessons for Africa and other regions where livestock is central to livelihoods. Over the past two decades, targeted policies and investments have boosted productivity by more than 60 percent, while reducing emissions intensity. From improved tropical grasses in the Cerrado to crop-livestock integration in the south, Brazil has shown that context-specific solutions can transform farming systems, making them more efficient, sustainable, and profitable.
Experts argue that livestock should be seen not only as an emissions challenge but as part of the solution to hunger, poverty, and climate resilience. Research initiatives, such as those led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), are proving that better animal health, feeds, and genetics can cut emissions while improving nutrition and incomes. As COP30 concludes, livestock must be embedded in national climate plans, with greater investment in innovation and rangeland management, so that pastoralists and farmers can thrive while protecting the planet.
