Advancing Sustainable Beef Production
As an important source of protein for much of the world’s population, we recognize that global demand for beef will only continue to increase in the coming years.
With the United Nations forecasting that global population will exceed 10 billion by the end of the century, it is essential to improve the sustainability of beef production globally, especially in the world’s most environmentally sensitive regions.
WWF envisions a global marketplace in which all beef is sustainable. Stakeholders across the beef industry—such as retailers, restaurants, traders, processors, ranchers, farmers, scientists, government officials, investors and NGOs—all play a critical role in making this happen.
Faced with the pressing concern that the Earth’s resources are being used faster than they can be replenished, we need to pursue bold and sustainable solutions. In response, WWF is working with the diverse group of stakeholders across the beef supply chain to ensure that beef is produced and processed in a way that is socially responsible, economically viable and environmentally sustainable—preserving and restoring critical habitats, helping to protect watersheds, and improving soil health and water quality.
Our first major initiative related to this work was the Global Conference on Sustainable Beef, held in November 2010 in Denver, Colorado. Approximately 300 stakeholders from across the beef system met to address the environmental, economic and social impacts of beef production. The goal of this forum was to develop and promote greater adoption of sustainable beef practices that lead to science-based, measurable outcomes through a global multi-stakeholder initiative. For more information on the forum, please visit www.sustainablelivestock.com.
By working with producers as well as companies and their supply chains to improve the sustainability of beef production, WWF is working to ensure that consumers have sustainable choices to foster a safe, affordable and wholesome diet.
