Food & Drink
Food retailers and methane
New report reveals global food retailers are ignoring a major methane problem in the meat and dairy aisles.
16 March 2025
The world’s major meat and dairy companies are generating combined greenhouse gas emissions on par with some of the biggest fossil fuel producers, according to new estimates from environmental and food policy experts issued ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Belém, Brazil.
More than half of the estimated emissions stem from methane, a powerful but short-lived gas that scientists warn must be sharply reduced this decade to keep global warming within 1.5°C.
The analysis, Roasting the Planet: Big Meat and Dairy’s Big Emissions, was published today (20 October) by Foodrise, Friends of the Earth U.S., Greenpeace Nordic and the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy.
It estimates that 45 major meat and dairy corporations have generated more than a billion tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (in CO₂-equivalents) – more than has been reported for Saudi Arabia, the world’s second-largest oil producer.
‘We cannot be fooled by shameless greenwashing by Big Meat and Dairy companies. The numbers are stark. Meat and dairy giants are responsible for a huge amount of greenhouse gas emissions, especially methane. If governments are serious about meeting climate goals, they can no longer ignore the climate impact of industrial meat and dairy. Binding agricultural emissions targets, full supply-chain reporting, and support for a just transition toward agroecology and more plant-based food systems are essential.’
KARI HAMERSCHLAG
Deputy director of Food and Agriculture at Friends of the Earth
The study found that the largest five emitters of this group — JBS, Marfrig, Tyson, Minerva and Cargill — together produced an estimated 480 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2eq), surpassing emissions reported for Chevron, Shell or BP.
In addition, the estimated methane emissions of the 45 meat and dairy firms exceeded the reported methane of all EU countries and the UK combined.
‘These profit-hungry Big Meat and Dairy companies are shamelessly driving the climate crisis through their addiction to industrial-scale mass production of meat and dairy. This is despite crystal-clear evidence that to limit climate catastrophe, a shift to healthy, sustainable and plant-rich diets is essential, alongside some much smaller scale animal farming.
‘That’s why we’re sounding the alarm on Big Meat and Dairy’s sky-high emissions, which closely rival Big Oil and exceed those of entire countries. We urgently need to see policymakers step up to take on this powerful industry through both taxation and regulation. This is absolutely crucial for the health of people and planet, and to fund a just transition to healthy food which is sustainably farmed.’
MARTIN BOWMAN
Senior policy & campaigns manager at Foodrise
The study reveals that JBS leads by far. The Brazil-based meat company accounted for nearly a quarter (24%) of the total emissions estimates calculated for the 45 companies covered in this report, with more than 240 million tonnes CO2eq.
Methane is the source of more than half (51%) of the emissions (CO2eq) from the 45 companies — exceeding the reported methane emissions of all EU countries and UK combined.
Three-quarters of the estimated emissions stem from just 15 out of the 45 companies, underscoring the outsized role that Big Meat and Dairy giants have.
‘As governments head to COP30 in the heart of the Amazon – an ecosystem devastated by global meat giants – scientists are clear that a failure to bring down agricultural emissions will torpedo us well past the Paris 1.5°C red line. Farms that restore nature and communities, not corporate-controlled factories, should be at the centre of our food system. It’s not too late for governments to commit to such a transition in their climate plans coming out of this COP.’
SHEFALI SHARMA
Global agriculture policy expert for Greenpeace Germany
The UN has made it clear that global methane emissions need to drop by 45% by 2030 if we are to stay within the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C limit.
The report’s authors are calling for urgent action from governments to introduce mandatory and transparent corporate production figures and emissions reporting.
They have called for binding targets to be set for absolute reductions in agriculture GHG emissions, including separate methane reduction targets.
Governments need to implement policies that curb overproduction and overconsumption of meat and dairy, resulting in reduced herd sizes and protein diversification.
The authors want governments to support a just transition towards agroecology, food sovereignty and plant-based foods, including by shifting public funds away from large-scale industrial animal agriculture.
‘Despite years of pledges to reduce emissions, major meat and dairy companies continue to recklessly drive climate-polluting production systems. It’s time for governments to step up and lead, with aligned regulations and public spending designed to cut emissions and support farmers in a transition toward more sustainable, lower-emitting farming systems.’
BEN LILLISTON
Director of Climate Strategies at the Institute for Agriculture and Trade Policy
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