Ana Mano, Simon Jessop, and Simon Jessop

LONDON/SAO PAULO – Weak corporate efforts by the livestock sector could slow down a global effort to reduce methane emissions, an investor group stated on Wednesday.

At the COP26 climate negotiations, more than 100 countries committed to reducing methane emission by 30% and halting and reversed deforestation until 2030. Much of this will be done through the livestock sector. The UN food agency said livestock accounts for 44% of man-made methane https://www.fao.org/news/story/en/item/197623/icode emissions.

A report by the FAIRR Initiative, whose members have more than $45 billion in assets showed that less than a fifth the largest livestock producers worldwide currently measures any of their emissions.

“As the main driver of methane in human activity as well deforestation from humans, the ambitions at COP26 gave a large slice of responsibility the food and agricultural sector,” said Jeremy Coller, FI Chair.

“Yet, failures in methane management to manage manure underline growing market belief that cows represent the new coal.”

This group evaluated 60 publically listed producers of animal protein, worth an estimated $363 billion, on 10 issues related to governance, sustainability, and governance.

Mowi ASA, a Norwegian aquaculture firm, was ranked highly, as were Grieg Seafood and Maple Leaf. Fonterra, Marfrig, and Fonterra were all considered low-risk.

These large producers also include the biggest meatpacker on earth. JBS SA (OTC:) Tyson Foods The report said that (NYSE:) were considered “medium-risk”.

JBS lost points due to its report on employee welfare, and Tyson was reduced for factors such as Tyson’s sourcing from areas at high risk of deforestation. FAIRR stated that Tyson received a lower score.

Reuters reached Tyson, JBS and JBS for comments but were not immediately available.

These findings are made public by the group so investors have access to them for their analysis of company performance or engagements with company boards.

According to the report, 42 percent of 45 meat- and dairy companies that source soy for animal food from regions at risk, such as Brazil’s Cerrado area, have no policy to minimize deforestation.

According to the report, 90% of deforestation in the country is being caused by indirect suppliers.

Nearly a third https://www.reuters.com/business/sustainable-business/brazil-audit-finds-32-jbs-cattle-amazon-state-irregular-farms-2021-10-07 of the cattle bought by JBS in the Brazilian Amazon (NASDAQ:) state of Para came from ranches with “irregularities” such as illegal deforestation, prosecutors found in a 2020 audit.

The science shows that high-emitting industries like agriculture, which are responsible for climate change and runaway rises in emissions must be transformed over the coming decade. FAIRR’s most recent research, however, shows just how far food industry must go,” Eugenie Mathieu (senior analyst at FAIRR) said. Aviva (LON:) investors.