The carbon opportunity cost of animal-sourced food production on land

Matthew N. Hayek (), Helen Harwatt, William J. Ripple and Nathaniel D. Mueller
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Matthew N. Hayek: New York University
Helen Harwatt: Harvard Law School
William J. Ripple: Oregon State University
Nathaniel D. Mueller: Colorado State University

Nature Sustainability, 2021, vol. 4, issue 1, 21-24

Abstract: Abstract Extensive land uses to meet dietary preferences incur a ‘carbon opportunity cost’ given the potential for carbon sequestration through ecosystem restoration. Here we map the magnitude of this opportunity, finding that shifts in global food production to plant-based diets by 2050 could lead to sequestration of 332–547 GtCO2, equivalent to 99–163% of the CO2 emissions budget consistent with a 66% chance of limiting warming to 1.5 °C.

Date: 2021
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DOI: 10.1038/s41893-020-00603-4

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