What are UK councils approving despite lack of climate data?

Councils are approving plans for large-scale "megafarms" that house thousands of pigs and millions of chickens, without properly assessing the farms' climate impacts.

What are the estimated emissions from the proposed megafarms?

Sustain estimates the additional emissions from all 35 megafarm applications could total 634,000 tons of CO2-equivalent annually, the equivalent of 488,000 return flights from London to New York.

Home / Environment / Councils Approve Polluting Megafarms, Ignore Climate Impact

Councils Approve Polluting Megafarms, Ignore Climate Impact

Q: How many additional animals could be farmed if all proposed megafarms are approved?

If all 35 applications reviewed were accepted, it could result in an additional 30,000 pigs and nearly 5 million chickens being farmed across the UK each year, amounting to over 37 million additional animals.

5 Nov

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Summary

Councils approve intensive livestock farms without assessing climate impacts
Farms could add 30,000 pigs and 5 million chickens annually, emitting 634,000 tons CO2
Only 4 of 35 applications reviewed were denied, despite lack of climate data

Councils Approve Polluting Megafarms, Ignore Climate Impact

In the past year, local councils across the UK have been approving plans for intensive livestock "megafarms" without properly considering their climate impacts. A review of 35 proposed developments in major farming counties found that the vast majority of applications routinely ignored or downplayed the industry's significant carbon footprint.

If all the applications analyzed were accepted, it would result in an additional 30,000 pigs and nearly 5 million chickens being farmed across England, Northern Ireland and Wales - amounting to over 37 million additional animals reared in the UK each year. Sustain, the advocacy group that conducted the research, estimates this could generate 634,000 tons of CO2-equivalent emissions annually, the equivalent of 488,000 return flights from London to New York.