{Tool} Cows and climate. [Kuh und Klima.] Creator(s): Leiber, Florian; Bautze, Lin; Bieber, Anna; Bühl, Verena; Müller, Adrian and Pfeifer, Catherine. Issuing Organisation(s): FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture, Bio Suisse. (2025)
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Document available online at: https://www.fibl.org/de/shop/1828-kuh-klima
Summary
You will learn why it makes sense to keep cattle on grassland, why cows are criticized for their impact on the climate, and how greenhouse gases can be compared. In addition, the course will specifically address the differences between grassland-based and intensive animal husbandry in terms of their climate impact, how methane emissions from ruminants can be reduced, and why climate mitigation is not enough for sustainable agriculture.
Summary translation
Wie lässt sich Rinderhaltung mit Klimaschutz vereinbaren? Dieses Faktenblatt beleuchtet den Zielkonflikt zwischen den Methanemissionen von Wiederkäuern und ihrer wichtigen Rolle in einer nachhaltigen Landwirtschaft. Es zeigt mögliche Strategien zur Verringerung der Treibhausgasemissionen und ordnet die biologische, graslandbasierte Tierhaltung in den grösseren Zusammenhang von Ernährungssicherheit und Ökosystemdienstleistungen ein.
| EPrint Type: | Practice tool |
|---|---|
| Teaser: | Contributions of grassland-based organic farming to more sustainable milk and meat production. |
| What problem does the tool address?: | Switzerland's grasslands are a key agricultural resource. They ensure food security, provide important ecosystem services and contribute to climate mitigation. We use and preserve these grasslands with large and small ruminants. However, cattle are coming under increasing criticism: should their numbers be reduced or should their husbandry be intensified in order to protect the climate? |
| What solution does the tool offer?: | How can cattle farming be reconciled with climate mitigation? This fact sheet highlights the conflict between methane emissions from ruminants and their important role in sustainable agriculture. It outlines possible strategies for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and places organic, grassland-based livestock farming in the broader context of food security and ecosystem services. |
| Country: | Switzerland |
| Type of Practice Tool: | Leaflets & guidelines |
| Keywords: | cattle, beef cattle, dairy cattle, environmental protection, climate change, climate change adaptation, climate-smart agriculture, sustainability, climate mitigation |
| Agrovoc keywords: | Language Value URI English cattle http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1391 English beef cattle http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_862 English dairy cattle http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_2108 English environmental protection http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_15898 English climate change http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1666 English climate change adaptation http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1374567058134 English climate-smart agriculture http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_1361789093890 English sustainability http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_33560 English carbon sequestration http://aims.fao.org/aos/agrovoc/c_331583 |
| Subjects: | Animal husbandry > Production systems > Dairy cattle Animal husbandry > Production systems > Beef cattle Environmental aspects > Air and water emissions |
| Research affiliation: | Switzerland > FiBL - Research Institute of Organic Agriculture Switzerland > Sustainability > Climate European Union > Horizon Europe > OrganicClimateNET > selected tools European Union > Organic Farm Knowledge |
| Horizon Europe or H2020 Grant Agreement Number: | 101136880 |
| Related Links: | https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/57155, https://organicclimatenet.eu/, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/56005, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55430, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/44058, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/55811, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54308, https://organic-farmknowledge.org/tool/54285 |
| Project ID: | OFK |
| Deposited By: | Rüger, Madelaine Lea |
| ID Code: | 57155 |
| Deposited On: | 10 Mar 2026 15:38 |
| Last Modified: | 06 Jul 2026 08:56 |
| Document Language: | English, German/Deutsch, French/Francais |
| Status: | Published |
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