The life cycle of animal proteins refers to the period from raw material extraction to disposal or end of life. Assessment refers to the comprehensive process used to measure the environmental impacts of the product, process, or service.
As such, an LCA provides a holistic understanding of the environmental impacts. It's more than just carbon footprints. Businesses can use LCA information to decide how to lessen the environmental effects of their products or services. This allows them to work towards more sustainable production, consumption and supply chain processes.
In the face of global warming, measures are needed to address climate change in all sectors and geographies. Both consumer awareness of environmental issues and regulation requiring the accurate reporting of environmental impacts are on the rise. Companies are responding by shifting towards sustainable business practices. This is especially important for the animal protein industry. The FAO says farm animals contribute to 14.5% of human-caused greenhouse gas emissions.
As the demand for animal protein rises, concerns over its environmental impact, such as greenhouse gas emissions, land use, and water consumption, become more pronounced. LCA offers a systematic approach to quantify and mitigate these impacts, with credibility. But to do this, we must use reliable and scalable measurements from cradle to gate of the farm’s operations.
In ISO standards 14040 and 14044, conducting a life cycle assessment (LCA) involves four main phases:
Assessing the environmental impact of animal protein production on farms through life cycle assessments (LCAs) is challenging. It requires using primary data. This is the direct, firsthand information collected specifically for the purpose of the study, rather than using existing or estimated data. This involves looking at the entire life cycle of the process, from cradle to grave, including:
LCAs in the livestock sector show that the production and utilization of feed have the largest environmental impacts. To reduce these impacts, efforts have focused on making crop and animal production more efficient. LCAs look at both crop and animal productivity to understand how they affect each other and the environment across the whole supply chain.
Check out our guide to getting started with farm life cycle assessment.
In the context of life cycle assessments (LCAs) for animal protein, recognized methodologies are crucial for ensuring accurate data. These methodologies provide standardized frameworks, ensuring consistency and reliability in data collection and analysis.
Adhering to recognized methodologies ensures farms and businesses can confidently assess environmental impact, fostering informed decision-making. Examples of recognized methodologies include:
EUPEF: The EU PEF (Product Environmental Footprint) methodology, endorsed by the European Commission's Joint Research Center (JRC), is the recommended approach in the EU for assessing the environmental impacts of products. It follows ISO standards and provides specific guidelines called Product Environmental Footprint Category Rules (PEFCR) for consistent assessments in product categories. EU PEF is increasingly used in consumer labelling schemes, and company reporting and measurement tools.
FAO LEAP: The FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance (LEAP) Partnership introduces a significant advancement in LCA methodology for animal protein production. Their guideline focuses on assessing the environmental impact of feed additives in livestock supply chains. It aligns with ISO standards for LCA and the EU PEF framework, ensuring credibility and consistency in assessments.
At farm level, robust LCA is needed to measure the environmental impact of farm operations. Sustainability and performance improvements often go hand-in-hand, meaning higher operating revenues for farmers. However, that is not the full extent of business opportunities linked to becoming more sustainability.
Credible environmental measurement can open up opportunities along the whole animal protein value chain. These include enhanced brand reputation, attracting conscientious consumers, accessing finance and more.
Life cycle assessments for farms can be complex, requiring consultation services or software solutions.
The necessity and opportunities of running a life cycle assessment (LCA) and improving environmental sustainability within the animal protein production sector are already being realized around the world. LCAs provide a comprehensive understanding of the environmental impacts, enabling informed decision-making for businesses.
As global concerns over environmental degradation rise, regulatory pressures and consumer demands for sustainable products increase. Adopting sustainability practices becomes not only an ethical imperative but also a strategic advantage for businesses.
Moreover, adhering to recognized methodologies such as EU PEF and FAO LEAP ensures credibility and consistency in assessments. Beyond environmental benefits, there are significant opportunities for businesses, including enhanced brand reputation, increased market value, and access to finance and regulatory benefits.
By taking ownership of their environmental footprint, businesses can unlock opportunities along the entire animal protein value chain, thus ensuring a sustainable future for both the industry and the planet.
15 May 2024
