Coffee Break Seminar: Limitations of improved grazing for climate mitigation in global rangelands

A short presentation by Robert Powell, Postgraduate Student, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Cambridge on Limitations of improved grazing for climate mitigation in global rangelands followed by a Q&A and discussion with the speaker. Chaired by Dr Shaun Fitzgerald, Director of the Centre for Climate Repair, University of Cambridge.

Coffee Break Seminars are a relaxed learning and discussion forum for our food security community that take place every Friday during term time at 2pm, UK time. 

Please click this link to register to attend the seminar.

Abstract:

Grazing management has been proposed as a pathway for mitigating emissions from the livestock sector, which comprise approximately 15% of anthropogenic emissions. However, limits to this nature-based climate solution have not been thoroughly addressed, particularly in the context of extensive rangeland production systems. Reducing grazing intensity in degraded lands can increase soil and vegetation carbon stocks, however growing animal product demand means production must be compensated. Here we explore the emissions trade-offs between improved grazing in degraded global rangelands and feed supplementation using an empirical soil carbon model, livestock emissions modelling and country level feed emissions intensities. We find heterogenous trade-offs across global rangelands with an overall net increase in emissions with improved grazing management and feed supplementation.