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Environmental impacts of Australian pork in 2020 and 2022 determined using LCA

Mary-Frances Copley , Eugene McGahan, Kate McCormack, Stephen Wiedemann

Abstract

Context The Australian pork industry is highly efficient with a history of ongoing productivity and environmental improvement. With the introduction of economy-wide environmental targets, delivering and tracking performance improvement is a requirement. Aims This study determined carbon footprint (kg CO₂-e), fossil energy (MJ), freshwater consumption (L), water stress (L H₂O-e), land occupation (m²) and eutrophication potential (kg N and kg P) for Australian pork for 2020 and 2022. Variability between housing, manure management systems, and regions were identified, systems analysed to determine new options for low-impact pork. Methods In the largest Australian study of its kind, data were collected for ~70% of pigs produced using a stratified design. Using attributional life cycle assessment, impacts were reported per kilogram of liveweight (LW), post-processed, retail, and boneless, fat-corrected pork. Uncertainty was assessed through Monte Carlo analysis and results presented as the industry average ± 2*standard deviation. Key results Key results were 3.0±0.1 and 3.0±0.1kg CO₂-e GHG, 0.4±0.07 and 0.3±0.03kg CO₂-e LU & dLUC, 12.9±0.5 and 13.4±0.5MJ, 93.8±9.6 and 52.5±3.6L, 68.4±6.7 and 43.2±3.3L H₂O-e, and 12.0±0.9 and 12.7±0.9m²/kg LW in 2020 and 2022 respectively. Due to industry growth, total emissions were higher in 2022. Eutrophication potential for Australian pork (2.2e-04±3.0e-05kg P and 8.7e-03±3.5e-04kg N/kg LW), reported for the first time, was low compared with meat produced from grazing systems and European piggeries. Longer term trends showed 74%, 61%, and 90% reductions in GHG emissions (excl. LU and dLUC), fossil energy, and freshwater consumption (per kg LW) over 42 years. Conclusions The industry has demonstrated long-term performance improvement, though the rate slowed in the most recent analysis period. Ongoing interventions are required to return to trend. Covered pond, deep litter, and outdoor systems produce lower carbon footprint pork and can provide other environmental benefits from renewable energy, and reduced fossil energy demand. Implications Already a low impact meat production system, there is significant potential to further reduce environmental impacts through practice change. If industry is to meet formal targets, investment and proactive policy settings are required to overcome barriers to adoption of existing technology and support the techno-economic case for novel strategies.

AN23352  Accepted 26 March 2024

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