Reduction of green house gas emissions in pig production

VetEffecT has been awarded the project "Review of best practices in climate smart pork production" for IFC. 

Successful companies and farmers of the future will need to produce with high efficiency (“sustainable intensification”) , use minimal energy, water, nutrients and other resources, cause a minimal carbon footprint, and causing minimal GHG (Green House Gasses) emissions, and minimal waste and effluents. Respecting animal welfare, wildlife and the environment are other key conditions.

IFC has a growing portfolio of clients in the animal protein sector and pork production in particular. Most of IFC clients are looking to be cutting edge both on production efficiency and sustainability. While this is the norm the set of practices employed by clients suggests that there are different routes to achieve this goal depending on production systems and economic environment. IFC advisory services are looking for a systemic review of best practice in the sector that can help new clients better navigate the options.

The study: 

• provides a conceptual review of major production systems in pork production in the world and the best practice established (in terms of technologies and management practices) that reduces environmental and climate impact of the industry, focusing on industrial systems i.e. the systems that produce the bulk of product that reaches formal market typically in larger commercial farms, and all proposed GHG reducing technologies or management practices should make economic sense on a free market basis;

• provides an expert opinion on the use of these technologies and solutions in mainstream production in developing countries, with special attention to Eastern Europe, East Asia, and parts of Africa.