Wild Meat Consumption in Tropical Forests Spares a Significant Carbon Footprint from the Livestock Production Sector

Background

Tropical forest communities widely consume wild meat, which provides essential protein and micronutrients. While most discussions around hunting emphasize its ecological impacts—such as defaunation and biodiversity loss—this study shifts focus to its potential climate benefits. It investigates the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions avoided when people consume wild meat instead of livestock products, especially bovine beef, a major driver of deforestation and emissions. By quantifying the carbon footprint of substitution, the study explores how sustainable hunting could contribute to climate change mitigation.

Goals and Methods

The study estimates the GHG emissions avoided through wild meat consumption and evaluates the potential revenue from carbon credits if these avoided emissions are included in carbon finance schemes like REDD+. Researchers collect data from 49 Amazonian and Afrotropical forest sites, covering about 150,000 people who consume wild meat. They compare two substitution scenarios: one in which wild meat is replaced by bovine beef (high emissions), and another by poultry (lower emissions). The study then calculates potential carbon credit value using both optimistic and conservative carbon pricing models.

Conclusion

The study finds that wild meat consumption prevents approximately 71 MtCO₂-equivalent emissions per year when substituted for bovine beef, and 3 MtCO₂-equivalent when substituted for poultry. These results underscore wild meat’s role in reducing demand for high-emission livestock products. Under a favorable carbon price of US$50 per ton, carbon credits from this dietary choice could generate US$3 million annually; under a more conservative price (US$20.81 per ton), the potential revenue drops to US$1 million. However, the study also reveals that 43% of the surveyed population consumes wild meat at levels below the FAO-recommended protein intake, raising concerns about food insecurity and undernutrition.