Stručni rad
https://doi.org/10.31727/m.27.5.1
The role of livestock farming in achieving climate and environmental goals of the European Union
Ornella Mikuš
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za agrarnu ekonomiku i ruralni razvoj, Zagreb, Hrvatska
*
Tihana Kovačićek
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za agrarnu ekonomiku i ruralni razvoj, Zagreb, Hrvatska
Mateja Jež Rogelj
; Sveučilište u Zagrebu Agronomski fakultet, Zavod za agrarnu ekonomiku i ruralni razvoj, Zagreb, Hrvatska
* Dopisni autor.
Sažetak
The livestock sector plays a key role in greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 81-86% of total agricultural emissions. The Member States with the greatest environmental pressure, i.e. the highest livestock density per hectare of utilised agricultural area, are the Netherlands, Malta, Belgium and Cyprus. Since the 1990s, the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) has gradually incorporated environmental protection elements such as cross-compliance, conditionality, agri-environmental measures and green payments. Despite these efforts, the results achieved in terms of improving biodiversity and meeting climate objectives have remained limited. The implementation of the CAP takes place in a complex context, as Member States have not taken advantage of the increased flexibility to significantly strengthen support for environmental and climate actions. As a result, the application of emission-reduction measures remains limited to a smaller number of larger and financially more stable farms. Of all cattle, sheep and goats in the EU, only a very small proportion-just 2%-are on farms participating in measures with a concrete climate impact. Out of 60 identified interventions within the CAP Strategic Plans, only four had a direct potential to reduce emissions, 25 had an indirect impact, while 12 could even increase emissions due to coupled income support linked to livestock numbers. This structure shows that the CAP still promotes the quantity of production rather than environmental efficiency. This paper provides a professional overview of the role and contribution of livestock production in the context of environmental and climate protection, and opens the space for discussion on sustainable practices and strategic approaches that the future CAP after 2027 will need to address.
Ključne riječi
climate; environment; livestock; common agricultural policy (CAP)
Hrčak ID:
336787
URI
Datum izdavanja:
14.10.2025.
hrvatski njemački španjolski talijanski
Posjeta: 863 *