Carbon and environmental impacts of poultry production: 2020 and beyond

Climate change action is a global priority for governments, business and industries. The egg industry produces highly efficient, high-quality food products with a relatively low environmental footprint but along with every sector, there is an imperative to reduce impacts over time. In particular, the industry has sought to benchmark the carbon footprint of eggs and identify options to reduce emissions. This report presents findings from a baseline carbon footprint study for the industry and an investigation of emission mitigation options, with a view to the development of a technically and economically viable pathway to low carbon or carbon neutral eggs.

A broad range of potential mitigation strategies that targeted different emission sources were identified and evaluated via a screening process. Each option was screened based on its technical mitigation potential and feasibility in the context of a typical layer farm. Strategies deemed prospective for the industry were incorporated into emission reduction pathways, which included a timeline for implementation leading to the delivery of low carbon and/or carbon neutral eggs for free range and cage-free farms. The pathways also included the incremental ongoing emissions reduction, which has been, and will continue to be, brought about by the decarbonisation of the electricity grid.