How Agritech Can Save the Meat Industry by Meeting ESG Goals

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Whether meat consumers like it or not, meat-based diets come with a heavy environmental price. The livestock industry has long been under fire for its role in accelerating global warming, driving deforestation, and creating coastal dead zones through fertiliser and manure runoff.

Now, with environmental, social, and governance (ESG) considerations becoming central to investor and regulatory decisions, the pressure is only intensifying. As one of the highest carbon-emitting sectors, livestock production is under mounting pressure. And unlike the energy or transport industries, there are no simple decarbonisation fixes. The sector’s poor environmental scorecard is fast becoming a financial and operational liability. 

Does this spell the end for meat production? Not quite. But the status quo is unsustainable. To survive and thrive, livestock companies must adopt sustainability at every level. And agritech offers the most scalable path forward.

Note: A glossary of technical terms is provided at the end of the article. Please refer to it for a better understanding of technical terms.

Agritech: A New Approach to Meat Production

Agritech may offer new ways for meat production. But the evolution of meat production doesn’t necessarily render traditional practices obsolete. Instead, it infuses old practices with new tools and innovative thinking. 

However, rewriting livestock production with agritech is not a simple case of plugging gadgets and calling it sustainable, but a fundamental shift in how livestock farmers approach production itself. Agritech today gives producers a deeper understanding of every aspect of their operations. Several agritech trends are helping the meat industry inch closer to sustainability benchmarks. Let’s explore the trends driving this shift.

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF)

Precision Livestock Farming (PLF) embeds farms with IoT sensors, automated cameras, and AI-driven analytics that monitor everything from feed intake to real-time stress indicators in animals. 

Rather than relying on periodic physical checks, farmers can detect early signs of disease, monitor animal welfare, and optimise feeding regimes. It results in a significant reduction of resource wastage and methane emissions per kilogram of meat produced. 

PLF underpins compliance with critical ESG expectations. Companies that leverage ISO 14001-aligned environmental management systems utilise PLF data to measure, verify, and report improvements in feed conversion ratios and reductions in water usage per kilogram of beef produced, thereby directly contributing to their Scope 3 emissions targets. 

Since PLF aids in early disease detection in animals, it improves animal welfare, which is a requirement under frameworks like GRI 416 on Customer Health and Safety. If the livestock sector is to survive scrutiny from environmental-conscious investors and customers, PLF will play a significant role, as it combines operational efficiency with regulatory risk mitigation, driven by verifiable data.

Source: Pexels

Methane Reduction Technologies

Methane emission from enteric fermentation remains one of the most significant environmental challenges for livestock producers. Agritech solutions, such as methane-inhibiting feed additives like 3-NOP (3-nitrooxypropanol), selective breeding for low-emission cattle, and methane vaccines targeting methanogenic microbes in the rumen, are reshaping this narrative. 

These innovations reduce the climate footprint while often improving animal productivity. Integration of such technologies directly supports climate risk mitigation strategies and opens the door for meat producers to participate in carbon credit markets.

With these technologies, livestock producers can align with ISO 14064 (Greenhouse Gas Accounting and Verification) and meet SASB standards for meat, poultry, and dairy production, particularly in terms of transparent greenhouse gas disclosures under GRI 305-1 (Direct Emissions).

Manure Management Systems

Advanced manure management systems, including anaerobic digestion and nutrient recovery processes, transform waste into a resource. Such systems redefine waste as a resource rather than a liability. 

Anaerobic digesters are now recognised as key assets for on-farm renewable energy generation under ISO 50001-certified energy management programs. These digesters capture methane for use as biogas while producing nutrient-rich digestate, which, when properly managed, minimises fertiliser runoff.

Modular nutrient recovery systems separate phosphorus and nitrogen and enable precision fertiliser application that aligns with ISO 14046 water footprint management strategies. In a regulatory environment where nitrate contamination is coming under strict scrutiny (especially in Europe under the Nitrates Directive), farms deploying these systems are positioning themselves ahead of compliance curves while strengthening ESG narratives around closed-loop farming and regenerative land use.

Satellite Monitoring and Geospatial Analysis

The use of satellites and drones to monitor grazing patterns, pasture health, and land use has brought transparency to livestock production. They are becoming must-have tools for responsible livestock land management. 

Satellite monitoring provides objective verification of grazing intensity, deforestation, and land restoration efforts, data that can be seamlessly integrated into ISO 19115-compliant geospatial metadata frameworks. For companies aiming for zero-deforestation supply chains (a key material topic under GRI 304 and relevant to Amazon biome risk assessments), satellite data enables third-party verifications and credible ESG disclosures.

Drones further complement satellite data by providing higher-resolution imaging that tracks soil erosion, pasture regrowth, and even watercourse protection measures, all of which are vital under emerging natural capital accounting frameworks, such as the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). In effect, remote sensing technologies are shifting ESG from promise to proof, transforming sustainability claims into verifiable operational realities. 

Source: Pexels

Digital Traceability Platforms

The rise of blockchain and digital traceability platforms is perhaps the clearest expression of how agritech is embedding governance into the meat industry. Platforms compliant with ISO 27001 on Information Security Management ensure that supply chain data, from antibiotic use to welfare certifications, is tamper-proof and accessible for audits. 

This transparency directly aligns with GRI 308 (Supplier Environmental Assessment) and GRI 414 (Supplier Social Assessment), two disclosure areas where meat producers are under increasing pressure. 

Blockchain also enables investors and regulators to delve deeply into production practices, verifying claims related to animal welfare (aligned with ISO 34700) and emissions intensity per product unit. 

Alternative Protein Integration

Due to the scrutiny over the environmental impact of traditional meat production, livestock operations can hedge their risks by investing in alternative proteins (either plant-based or lab-grown).  It is a hybridisation strategy that allows producers to report portfolio emissions reductions under ISO 14067-compliant product carbon footprints while tapping into new growth markets. 

Cultured meat, for instance, claims a reduction of up to 96% in GHG emissions compared to conventional beef, enabling early adopters to meet ambitious Scope 3 targets ahead of their competitors. From an ESG standpoint, blending traditional and alternative proteins supports GRI 302 (Energy) and GRI 305 (Emissions) disclosures while responding to shifting consumer expectations for ethical and environmentally friendly protein options. 

More strategically, it diversifies risk exposure and insulates producers from potential future regulatory penalties on high-emission products under frameworks like the EU’s Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM).

Table mapping the problems in livestock production and how agritech can help.

Environmental Concern	Agritech Solution	How It Helps
GHG Emissions	Precision feeding systems	Optimise diets to reduce methane production.
	Methane inhibitors (e.g., Bovaer)	Additives that cut enteric methane emissions in cattle.
	Anaerobic digesters	Capture methane from manure to produce renewable energy.
	Livestock health sensors	Identify sick animals early to maintain productivity and reduce emissions per unit.
Deforestation	Satellite and drone monitoring	Detect land clearing and manage grazing sustainably.
	Regenerative grazing apps	Plan rotational grazing to maintain healthy pastures without expanding land.
	Alternative proteins (lab-grown meat, fermentation)	Reduce long-term demand for grazing land and soy feed crops.
Pollution	Smart manure management (IoT)	Monitor and manage manure to prevent runoff into water bodies.
	Precision veterinary tech	Early disease detection reduces antibiotic overuse and environmental contamination.
Water Overuse	Smart irrigation systems for feed crops	Use moisture sensors and AI to water crops efficiently and only when needed.
	Automated livestock watering systems	Reduce water wastage at animal drinking points.
Biodiversity Loss	Biodiversity monitoring with drones	Map species richness and habitat conditions on grazing lands.
	Agroforestry management tools	Integrate trees into pastures to support wildlife and ecosystem diversity.
Soil Degradation	Soil moisture and compaction sensors	Alert farmers to risks of overgrazing and degraded soils.
	Digital rotational grazing platforms	Optimise animal movement to allow soil and pasture recovery.
Fertilizer Runoff	Variable rate fertiliser application	Apply fertilisers precisely, minimising excess and runoff.
	Soil health monitoring platforms	Recommend organic amendments to reduce chemical fertiliser use.
	Cover crop planning tools	Promote natural soil enrichment to decrease fertiliser dependency.

Conclusion

If agritech becomes a core pillar of the livestock sector, it can future-proof itself to address sustainability-related questions posed to it. Agritech paves the way for a more sustainable, transparent, and resilient livestock industry that balances profitability with planetary and social responsibility, securing its place in a rapidly evolving global market.

Glossary of Technical Terms

• ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance): A framework for assessing a company’s operations based on environmental impact (e.g., emissions, resource use), social responsibility (e.g., labour practices, community engagement), and governance (e.g., transparency, ethical management). In livestock, ESG drives sustainability and accountability.

• ISO 14001: An international standard for environmental management systems, guiding organisations to minimise environmental impact through systematic processes. In livestock, it supports tracking and improving feed conversion ratios and water usage.

• Scope 3 Emissions: Indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from a company’s value chain, such as those from feed production or transportation in livestock farming. PLF data helps measure and reduce these emissions to meet ESG targets.

• GRI 416 (Customer Health and Safety): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for disclosing impacts on customer health and safety. In livestock, it relates to ensuring animal welfare and safe meat production, supported by PLF’s early disease detection.

• ISO 22005: An international standard for traceability in the food and feed chain, ensuring verifiable records of production processes. PLF’s data trails support compliance by tracking animal health and feed usage.

• 3-NOP (3-Nitrooxypropanol): A feed additive that inhibits methane production in the rumen of livestock, reducing emissions by approximately 25-30%. It supports climate goals under ESG frameworks.

• ISO 14064: A set of international standards for quantifying, monitoring, and reporting GHG emissions and removals. In livestock, it guides methane emission accounting, supported by technologies like 3-NOP and methane vaccines.

• SASB (Sustainability Accounting Standards Board): Standards for disclosing financially material sustainability information to investors. In meat production, SASB emphasises transparent GHG emissions reporting, aligned with GRI 305-1.

• GRI 305-1 (Direct Emissions): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for reporting direct GHG emissions (Scope 1), such as methane from livestock. Methane reduction technologies help producers comply with this disclosure.

• ISO 50001: An international standard for energy management systems, promoting efficient energy use. Anaerobic digesters in manure management, producing biogas, align with this standard by generating renewable energy.

• ISO 14046: An international standard for assessing water footprints, measuring water use and impacts. Nutrient recovery systems in manure management align with this by enabling precise fertiliser application to reduce water pollution.

• Nitrates Directive: An EU regulation (91/676/EEC) aimed at reducing nitrate pollution from agricultural sources, particularly manure. Advanced manure management systems help livestock farms comply by minimising runoff.

• ISO 19115: An international standard for geospatial metadata, defining how to describe geographic data. Satellite monitoring in livestock uses this to document grazing patterns and land use for ESG reporting.

• GRI 304 (Biodiversity): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for disclosing impacts on biodiversity, such as deforestation from grazing. Satellite and drone data verify zero-deforestation commitments.

• TNFD (Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures): A framework for reporting nature-related risks and impacts, such as land degradation in livestock farming. Remote sensing supports compliance by tracking pasture health and watercourse protection.

• ISO 27001: An international standard for information security management systems, ensuring data integrity and confidentiality. Blockchain-based traceability platforms in livestock align with this for secure supply chain data.

• GRI 308 (Supplier Environmental Assessment): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for evaluating suppliers’ environmental performance. Digital traceability platforms provide data to meet this requirement in livestock supply chains.

• GRI 414 (Supplier Social Assessment): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for assessing suppliers’ social impacts, such as labor practices. Traceability platforms verify welfare and ethical practices in livestock production.

• ISO 34700: An international standard for animal welfare management systems, ensuring humane treatment. Blockchain platforms support compliance by verifying welfare certifications.

• ISO 14067: An international standard for assessing the carbon footprint of products. Alternative protein integration (e.g., cultured meat) supports compliance by reporting reduced GHG emissions in livestock portfolios.

• GRI 302 (Energy): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for disclosing energy consumption and efficiency. Blending alternative proteins reduces energy-intensive livestock production, aiding compliance.

• GRI 305 (Emissions): A Global Reporting Initiative standard for reporting GHG emissions (direct and indirect). Methane reduction and alternative proteins help livestock producers meet these disclosures.

• CBAM (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism): An EU policy imposing carbon tariffs on high-emission imports. Alternative protein integration helps livestock producers avoid penalties by lowering emissions.