Aviation fuel from meat and reducing GHG emissions
Over the last two years, one of the largest meat producers in the world, JBS has used over 1.2 million tons of pork lard and beef tallow to produce environmentally friendly aviation fuel, according to UPEMI. The products came from plants located in the United States, Canada and Australia. Currently, the company is considering starting a similar project in Brazil.
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The meat industry is not indifferent to environmental issues
JBS is also conducting a research project aimed at providing biofuel for ships, which will be produced at plants in Brazil. This is one of the examples that the meat industry is not indifferent to environmental issues. Similar initiatives are undertaken all over the world, including in Poland.
– Climate change is a fact and we cannot ignore it. They should be prevented by all available methods. Contrary to popular belief, the solution is not to give up eating meat. First of all, meat is consumed by the vast majority of society in Poland and around the world. Secondly, giving up meat and stopping animal breeding is throwing the baby out with the bathwater and is not confirmed by many currently conducted scientific studies, says Wiesław Różański, president of the management board of the Union of Producers and Employers of the Meat Industry.
– We might as well introduce a ban on airplane flights. Instead, cooperation with scientific institutions should be undertaken to find the most environmentally friendly methods of animal breeding and meat production, he emphasizes.
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New Zealand: greenhouse gas emissions from cattle will not be taxed
Costs or profits? The GHG emission reduction calculator will provide the answer
UPEMI is currently implementing a second project aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions in animal husbandry. The first research project, carried out jointly with the Polish Association of Beef Cattle Producers and already completed, was aimed at preparing and implementing a GHG emission reduction calculator in cattle and pig breeding. It was developed at the Institute of Animal Production, National Research Institute, Department of Production Systems and Environment.
It allows you to estimate CO2, CH4 and N2O emissions on the farm from plant and animal production. Collecting all the data allowed the scientists involved in the project to calculate the total CO2 equivalent from animal and plant production on the farm (CO2 eq. kg/year). This data is then compared with the selected methods of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. In the next step, the grower can use the calculator to assess whether a given GHG reduction method generates costs, is cost neutral or generates profits. Thus, farmers have gained a very useful tool that allows them to easily fight climate warming effectively.
Reduction of ammonia emissions in poultry farming
The positive effects of the project implementation mean that a project is currently being implemented to reduce emissions of gases harmful to the environment, including ammonia, in poultry farming. Apart from its harmful impact on the environment, ammonia is also the cause of odors associated with poultry farms, which causes very negative reactions among inhabitants of rural areas. The research includes a broad analysis of microclimate parameters, properties of litter and feces, digestibility of feed nutrients, intestinal microflora, physiological indicators, productivity, meat quality, and the welfare and behavior of birds.
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Reducing CO2 emissions in agriculture. Challenges and opportunities
Products in line with changing consumer trends
– The activities we undertake are primarily practical, which is why we focus on providing farmers with reliable, simple and effective tools to implement environmentally friendly solutions – explains Różański.
– Although their main target are farmers, the winners will be consumers who will gain access to not only high-quality but also environmentally friendly goods, which is in line with changing consumer trends. This is also proof that the meat industry must strengthen cooperation with scientific institutions that will guarantee its future development in accordance with the principle of sustainable development – he adds.
