Research Articles The Long and Tough Journey to Sustainable Beef in Colombia

Livestock production in Colombia has long been a pillar of the country's economy, providing livelihoods for rural communities and ensuring a steady supply of beef to both domestic and international markets. However, as climate change intensifies and the call for more sustainable practices grows louder, this industry, like many others, must confront its environmental impact. One of the key contributors to livestock’s carbon footprint is the transportation of beef - a factor often overlooked when discussing the environmental impacts of livestock production.

Our recent article “The carbon footprint of beef transport in Colombia: market connections and distribution networks” brought emissions from the transportation of beef into sharper focus, highlighting the need for more sustainable logistics in Colombia’s beef supply chain. The findings reveal that while beef transport emissions may not be the largest contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the livestock production chain, they still pose significant environmental challenges that must be addressed.
 

Transporting beef across Colombia is no small feat. The diverse landscape - ranging from mountainous terrains to coastal regions - complicates logistics and increases fuel consumption. According to the study, transporting beef generates approximately 0.055330 kg of CO₂ equivalent per ton per kilometer - a figure that, while lower than the emissions from transporting chicken, is still substantial when scaled up across the entire beef industry. Given Colombia’s vast geography and the distances between production sites, processing facilities, and consumer markets, transport related GHG emissions quickly add up.

Moreover, the study points out that the infrastructure of Colombia’s transport system exacerbates the problem. Roads are often poorly maintained, especially in rural areas where many cattle farms are located, leading to longer travel times and higher fuel consumption. This not only drives up the costs for farmers and distributors but also increases the environmental impact of getting beef to market.

While much of the conversation around the environmental impact of beef production has centered on methane emissions and deforestation, transportation emissions are a significant part of the puzzle. Moreover, transportation-related emissions tend to be overlooked in national climate strategies, despite their cumulative impact on both air quality and global GHG levels. Addressing these emissions is critical for any country to reduce its carbon footprint, particularly as the global demand for sustainable practices continues to grow. 

For Colombia, this is especially important. The country is not only a major player in the beef market, but it is also home to some of the world’s most biodiverse ecosystems, such as the Amazon rainforest, which are under threat from climate change and deforestation. Any reductions in emissions - whether from cattle methane or transport - can help preserve these vital ecosystems.

This work was undertaken as part of the One CGIAR Initiatives on National Policies and Strategies and Livestock & Climate (L&C). Under the National Policies and Strategies Initiative, it contributes especially to PlaSA Colombia, which integrates information on Colombia’s food systems. We thank all donors who globally support our work through their contributions to the CGIAR System. CGIAR is a global research partnership for a food-secure future. Its science is carried out by 15 Research Centres in close collaboration with hundreds of partners across the globe.