FAIRR investor network has revealed that nature-based solutions to mitigate the environmental impact of animal agriculture remain significantly underfunded, despite their long-term benefits.
The report, Climate and Nature-Based Interventions in Livestock, outlines 22 interventions aimed at reducing climate and nature risks in the livestock sector. These include nature-based approaches such as cover cropping, biochar application, and enhanced rock weathering, alongside tech-based interventions like synthetic feed additives and anaerobic digesters.
According to the report, tech-based interventions receive the majority of investment, accounting for 67% of private capital and 55% of public funding. In contrast, nature-based solutions, which offer broader environmental benefits, remain underutilized due to complex financing models and longer return timelines.
FAIRR warns that intensive livestock farming contributes up to 19.6% of global greenhouse gas emissions, occupies 75% of all agricultural land, and is the leading driver of deforestation and land degradation. It also consumes 30% of the world’s freshwater supply and depletes natural habitats through the use of antibiotics and chemical inputs.
The report argues that while tech-based interventions provide immediate climate benefits, they reinforce intensive farming practices that delay long-term sustainability goals. FAIRR is urging investors to shift focus toward nature-based solutions, emphasizing that such interventions could deliver higher environmental gains over time.
The organization also highlights the need for policy support and changes in procurement and consumption patterns to facilitate a transition to sustainable agricultural systems.
