Environmental Impacts of Brazilian Beef Production and Mitigation Alternatives—A Systematized Review

Abstract

The rise in global mean temperature is the main cause of the increase in frequency and intensity of extreme weather events. In Brazil, the main sources of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions are land use change and the agricultural sector, with emphasis on beef production. In this study, our objective was to examine the contribution of beef production to environmental impacts and evaluate the potential for mitigating these effects to address environmental concerns. We conducted a systematized review of agricultural production impacts on the environment, specifically deforestation and GHG emissions, and debated the solutions available to mitigate these impacts by focusing on alternatives for livestock production. The search resulted in 54 articles, of which 43 were selected and divided into categories according to topic similarities. Beef production, especially in the extensive system, widely contributes to GHG emissions, specifically due to enteric fermentation and manure left on the pasture, and deforestation for pasture opening. The solutions to mitigate these impacts permeate several areas, such as political and structural modifications, and changes in the agricultural production model. Of the intensification strategies discussed, we highlight pasture restoration, rotational grazing and diet supplementation as the most promising approaches. Our study makes an important contribution to the discourse on sustainability in beef production by recognizing and addressing the multifaceted challenges inherent in achieving sustainability.