Why Should We Care About the Carbon Footprint of Meat?
Common Use Cases: From EINF to Taxonomy and CSRD
Talking about the carbon footprint of meat means addressing one of the biggest emission sources in the food system.
From intensive farming to transport and refrigeration, each stage adds impact.
For many companies, measuring this footprint is no longer optional.
Market demands and regulations are pushing us to act with real data.
If we don’t control these emissions, we’re losing competitiveness.
More and more companies are using this information as a strategic lever, not just to tick boxes.
The carbon footprint of meat is directly tied to ESG goals.
If your company has environmental or social commitments, this indicator fully affects you.
We’re dealing with one of the most demanding sectors in terms of impact.
If we don’t measure properly, we get excluded from tenders, certifications, or even global supply chains.
This isn’t just about reputation.
What’s at stake is our ability to compete and respond to the new market rules.
It’s the total amount of emissions generated throughout the meat’s life cycle.
From animal feed production to transport and final processing.
It includes everything behind the scenes.
Animal feed, enteric emissions, fertilizer use, factory energy consumption, packaging, industrial refrigeration, distribution…
Why does it matter so much?
Because every link adds emissions, and if we don’t have control over them, we can’t reduce or report accurately.
Today, measuring isn’t just an option, it’s a requirement.
Regulations like CSRD or ISO 14067 already demand product-level emission transparency,
and meat is at the center of the debate.
On top of that, major value chains are demanding it.
If we sell to third parties, they’ll soon ask for verifiable data, and without it, we’re out.
The carbon footprint of meat isn’t an isolated topic.
It’s connected to a company’s entire ESG system: from data governance to financial decisions.
Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is the starting point. It lets us identify all emissions generated from production to final consumption.
We also use digital solutions that automate data collection and connect all ESG information with your needs: reporting, regulations, and strategic decisions.
We need data across the whole chain. From animal feed production, water and energy use, to transport, processing, refrigeration, and distribution.
The more detailed the information, the better the analysis. If the data is flawed, the decisions will be too.
Doing it manually? Bad idea. It’s a long, technical process and very prone to errors.
Specialized platforms remove the chaos. They let us work with reliable data, save time, and focus on what matters: making decisions.
Our platform gathers all your ESG information and turns it into reports, decisions, and actions.
From direct emissions to the full product life cycle.
Your focus is CSRD, ISO, SBTi, EINF, or the EU Taxonomy? Doesn’t matter.
Dcycle adapts to what you need, no matter the sector or starting point.
We measure using real data, not assumptions.
We automate collection and processing, so you don’t waste time on repetitive tasks.
We generate reports that actually serve a purpose.
You meet regulations, gain efficiency, and make data-driven decisions.
And most importantly: all this helps you stay competitive.
Because measuring your footprint is no longer a trend, it’s a market necessity.
It’s calculated by summing all emissions generated at each stage of the life cycle. From producing feed for livestock to final product distribution.
The most widely used method is Life Cycle Assessment (LCA), which allows us to identify where the critical points are and how to reduce the impact.
Beef usually ranks at the top. It’s followed by lamb, pork, and to a lesser extent, chicken.
The reason lies in the type of feed, growth time, and enteric emissions. Not all meats emit the same,and that makes a big difference when measuring.
There are many solutions, but not all are business-ready. What matters is that they connect real datawith your ESG goals and regulatory obligations.
We use platforms that automate the calculationand allow you to report wherever needed, no mess, no errors, and full traceability.
It depends on the country, sector, and size of your company. But one thing is certain: the trend is heading that way.
Regulations like CSRD, ISO 14067, or the EU Taxonomy are already demanding it. And if you sell to third parties, you’re probably already being asked for it indirectly.
Yes, but you need to know where you’re falling short. Sometimes the problem isn’t the supplier, but how you use their products or manage logistics.
With the right data, you can optimize processes without needing to break commercial relationships. Everything starts with measuring accurately.
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Carbon footprint calculation analyzes all emissions generated throughout a product’s life cycle, including raw material extraction, production, transportation, usage, and disposal.
The most recognized methodologies are:
Digital tools like Dcycle simplify the process, providing accurate and actionable insights.
Some strategies require initial investment, but long-term benefits outweigh costs.
Investing in carbon reduction is not just an environmental action, it’s a smart business strategy.
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