UN Climate Conference Neglects Impact of Meat

The 2012 United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, which takes place in Doha, Qatar from November 26 to December 7, is following in the footsteps of Rio de Janerio’s June 2012 Earth Summit by failing to address meat production’s environmental impact. Not only is livestock’s global impact on the environment completely absent from the conference’s formal agenda, but participating politicians from around the world will be served meat dishes in canteens, during meetings, and at official dinners. Multiple reports from numerous UN outlets including the UN Food and Agriculture Organization have estimated livestock’s contribution to global greenhouse emissions is roughly 18 percent. Additionally, the United Nations Environment Programme’s October Global Environment Alert Service was dedicated entirely to greenhouse gas emissions resulting from meat production.