Where does Asparagopsis seaweed fit in the global fight against climate change? 

An Opportunity for Climate and Efficiency

As businesses and nations signal their commitment to take decisive climate action, beef and dairy industries are vulnerable as major methane-producers.  

Global animal protein production produces nearly 12% of all human-caused global greenhouse gas emissions. Methane, a compound with a short lifespan and high potential to exacerbate global warming, accounts for the bulk of the industry’s climate emissions. This means, if we take action to reduce ruminant methane emissions now, we can reduce the agricultural industry’s contribution to global warming in the near term. 

Governments and voluntary organizations around the world are looking to the beef and dairy industries to enact sustainable changes to meet their climate targets. FutureFeed gives producers a viable pathway to future-proof their operations in the wake of these policies while still allowing livestock industries to scale. 

Map displaying countries that have pledged to take climate action.

Decarbonizing global markets

The 17 Sustainable Development Goals, adopted by all United Nations Member States in 2015, are a global call to action for peace and prosperity. From slashing emissions to reducing hunger, Asparagopsis seaweed can help us reach these global goals faster by: 

  • Climate Action: We’re here to help solve the global climate crisis. As methane only has an atmospheric lifespan of 12 years, immediate action we take now can have a significant short-term impact. 

  • No poverty: Over a billion people globally depend on livestock for their livelihoods. Asparagopsis provides a sustainable way forward for this important industry. (SDG no. 1: No poverty). 

  • Zero Hunger, Responsible Consumption: Livestock provides protein and micronutrients to many of the world’s 830 million people experiencing food insecurity as global beef and dairy demand grows.  

  • Partnerships for the goals: We accelerate our mission through strategic international and interorganizational partnerships across the value chain (seaweed, livestock, dairy, retail, meat processing, multinational food and beverage). 

UN Member States representing 45% of global emissions have also pledged to accelerate methane reduction. 

As nations do their part to achieve these global goals, key markets for beef and dairy production have outlined national plans to decarbonize their economies and agriculture. 

How are key markets responding to climate change?

  • Australia has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, with an interim goal to reduce emissions by 43% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. Decarbonizing beef and dairy industries is crucial to meeting that goal. 

    The Australian red meat and livestock industry aims to be carbon neutral by 2020 lowered its GHG emissions by 64.8% from the 2005 baseline year, with industry contributions to national emissions declining by 53% from 2005 to 2020. 

  • Brazil has a long-standing goal to achieve net-zero by 2050, with an interim goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 53% below 2005 levels in 2030.  

    Brazil has also signed onto the Global Methane Pledge, which aims to reduce global methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030. 

  • Japan aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 and the country has set a target to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 46% from 2013 levels by 2030, with an aspiration to reach a 50% reduction.

    Japan is a participant of the Global Methane Pledge and is investing in research and development of methane mitigation technologies, such as improved livestock feed solutions.

  • The EU pledges to be climate-neutral by 2050, with an interim 2030 goal of reducing emissions by 55%. 

    As 10% of the EU’s emissions come from agriculture, particularly through the release of methane, the beef and dairy industries are key targets for decarbonization. 

  • The United Kingdom has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.  

    The National Farmers’ Union has a more ambitious goal of reaching net zero by 2040. As methane accounts for 50% of the nation’s agricultural emissions, NFU explicitly states the need to leverage emerging sustainable and efficient technologies, like Asparagopsis, to achieve this goal. 

  • The United States has set a goal to reach net-zero emissions by 2050, with particular attention to funding methane-reducing technologies for the dairy industry.  

    Voluntary organizations like the Innovation Center for U.S. Dairy have signed onto the Net Zero Dairy initiative, which aims to leverage sustainable technology to decarbonize the industry by 2050.