A global strategy to mitigate the environmental impact of China’s ruminant consumption boom

• DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06381-0
• Publication Date: 2018-10-02T13:23:31Z
• Authors: Yuanyuan Du; Ying Ge; Yuan Ren; Xing Fan; Kaixuan Pan; Linshan Lin; Xu Wu; Yong Min; Laura A. Meyerson; Mikko Heino; Scott X. Chang; Xiaozi Liu; Feng Mao; Guofu Yang; Changhui Peng; Zelong Qu; Jie Chang; Raphael K. Didham
• Keywords: Consumption

Abstract Rising demand for ruminant meat and dairy products in developing countries is expected to double anthropogenic greenhouse gas ammonia emissions from livestock by 2050. Mitigation strategies are urgently needed meet while minimizing environmental impacts. Here, we develop scenarios mitigating under local vs global supply policies using data 308 farms across mainland China, where intensities ~50% higher than those developed nations. Intensification of domestic production globalized expansion through increased trade result reductions nearly 30% over a business-as-usual scenario, but at the expense trading partners absorbing associated negative externalities degradation. Only adoption mixed strategy combining best-practice sustainable intensification production, with green-source as short-term coping strategy, can 2050 footprint China’s consumption boom.