This presentation by Dr. Ernesto F. Viglizzo (PhD) addresses one of the most debated topics in agro-environmental sciences: how to measure and interpret greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from beef production. The paper reviews the scientific discussion on the various carbon metrics used to assess the environmental footprint of livestock systems, emphasizing that current models are still under review and constantly evolving. Using comparative data from Argentina and international studies, Dr. Viglizzo shows how approaches based on emissions per unit of product, per unit of area, or adjusted for nutritional value can yield very different conclusions about the role of beef in climate change. Ultimately, the analysis proposes moving toward more integrative and contextualized assessment methods that consider both environmental and nutritional dimensions in the debate on sustainable food production.
Document available in English.
