Two strategic documents on Circular Bioeconomy and Ecosystem Services aim to reshape the future of livestock sustainability.
In a significant move to promote environmental resilience within global livestock systems, the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has released two new technical guidelines aimed at accelerating sustainable transformation in the livestock sector. The launch marks a pivotal step in aligning global livestock practices with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Paris Agreement.
Released under the FAO Livestock Environmental Assessment and Performance Partnership (LEAP), the two documents—“Circular Bioeconomy in Livestock Systems” and “Ecosystem Services and Biodiversity”—provide harmonised frameworks and methodologies to help stakeholders across the livestock value chain reduce environmental impacts while maintaining productivity.
A Step Towards Greener Livestock Supply Chains
The guidelines are designed to support livestock producers, policymakers, researchers, and agribusinesses in understanding and implementing climate-smart practices. Specifically:
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The Circular Bioeconomy guideline examines strategies to minimise waste, enhance nutrient recycling, and improve resource-use efficiency across livestock systems. It encourages the adoption of closed-loop processes that optimise biomass use, turning waste into value.
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The Ecosystem Services guideline offers methodologies for assessing the environmental benefits provided by livestock systems, including carbon sequestration, biodiversity conservation, water regulation, and soil fertility improvement.
Together, these documents support informed decision-making, sustainable resource management, and climate mitigation within the livestock supply chain. They also promote data-driven practices, which are crucial for achieving sustainable dairy farming, green dairy practices, and long-term, eco-friendly dairy goals in India.
Industry Relevance and Global Impact
India, as the world’s largest milk producer, stands to benefit immensely from these structured approaches. Integrating these guidelines into Indian dairy systems could address pressing concerns, such as dairy methane emissions, dairy waste management, and milk supply sustainability, thereby ensuring resilience in the face of climate change and market volatility.
The FAO emphasises a collaborative path forward, thanking its vast network of experts, including farmers, cooperatives, academia, and private sector partners, for their invaluable contributions. The organisation reaffirmed its commitment to continuing to work with stakeholders to operationalise the guidelines and achieve a healthier planet and more resilient food systems.
As sustainability becomes central to the Indian dairy industry, tools like these will help modernise the sector with a strong foundation in environmental stewardship, livestock innovation, and climate-smart dairy production.
