Does Net Zero Mean the End of Livestock Agriculture?

This lecture by Professor Myles Allen explores the complex relationship between livestock agriculture and climate change goals. Examine how conventional carbon footprinting metrics distort the impact of methane emissions from agriculture, affecting climate policy in both positive and negative ways. Learn about the fundamental differences between methane and CO₂ in climate models, discover approaches to fixing current measurement metrics, and understand the implications for UK agriculture. The presentation covers practical methods for reducing methane on farms, compares different policy approaches, addresses global fairness concerns, and discusses the relationship between meat consumption and legacy emissions. Professor Allen, the Frank Jackson Foundation Professor of the Environment and Director of the Oxford Net Zero initiative, provides a balanced perspective on how sustainable livestock farming can be compatible with climate stability.