Methane emissions: Australian cattle industry suggests shift from net zero target to ‘climate neutral’ approach

Despite the on-paper progress toward net zero, Cattle Australia, the peak body for producers of grass-fed cattle, argues the target should be abandoned in favour of a ‘climate neutral’ goal. Photograph: Mike Bowers/The Guardian

Cattle Australia is lobbying the red meat sector to ditch its net zero target in favour of a “climate neutral” goal that would require far more modest reductions in methane emissions.

The $75bn red meat industry, led by Meat and Livestock Australia, announced a target of reaching net zero emissions by 2030 seven years ago, in an attempt to maintain its social licence and drive investments in emissions reduction technology.