Goat Farming in the Context of Sustainable Livestock Systems: Food Security and Carbon Footprint

Abstract

In parallel with the growing global population, consumption of meat from ruminant animals like cattle is expected to increase by approximately 90% by 2050. This suggests that even if all non-food emissions, such as industrial and energy systems, are eliminated, emissions from food production systems alone are likely to increase global warming by over 1.5°C. This issue has been frequently discussed recently by groups specifically focusing on emissions from cattle. Turkey accounts for 1.3% of global emissions, both in terms of CO2 and overall greenhouse gases. This rate is low compared to major emitters such as China, the US, and India. The EU's "2030 Climate Target Plan" aims to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40% by 2030 and 55% by 2050, ultimately achieving net-zero emissions by mid-century. In this context, countries are turning to alternative animal protein sources with lower environmental impact. Given Turkey's geographical location and sociological structure, a departure from tradition is not anticipated in the short term. Therefore, studies suggest that goat farming, which reduces the economic and climatic burden of crop production and water use, may be preferable to ruminant species like cattle, which have a high environmental impact. This study evaluates the impact of goat farming on greenhouse gas emissions and its advantages and disadvantages.