Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture could be reduced by more than half if the world consumed less meat, reduced food waste and managed soil nutrients better, according to a new report by Climate Focus and California Environmental Associates.

An article on the website of Thomson Reuters Foundation summarizes the findings of research into how food production systems could become more efficient and reduce environmental impact.

“Yearly emissions could be reduced by as much as 50 to 90 percent by 2030 if the right policies are followed across food production and consumption systems,” says the article. Brazil, China, the European Union, India and the United States are identified as countries with the greatest emission reduction opportunities.

Around one fifth of global greenhouse gas emissions come from agriculture and 70 per cent of these from livestock.

The report also looks at the climate mitigation potential of agriculture, in particular the ability to store carbon in croplands, grazing lands and agroforestry. It suggests that Brazil could adopt silvopastoral systems which combine crops, trees and livestock to improve the quality of pasture, sequester carbon and limit deforestation.

Read the full story: Healthier, more efficient food systems could slash farm emissions - study