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Measuring sustainability performance, setting strategic goals and identifying areas for improvement based on sound science, are all key areas where the CRSB leads sustainability initiatives for the Canadian beef industry.
The first National Beef Sustainability Assessment, known as the NBSA, was published in 2016 (based on 2014 data) and provided a baseline for evaluating progress in environmental, social and economic performance over time. The current assessment, published in 2024 (based on 2021 data) is the first to measure changes against that baseline, and serves as a benchmark on the Canadian beef industry’s journey towards its 2030 goals.
The NBSA is comprised of two separate reports:
Both reports, are highlighted in a Summary Report, including key Sustainability Strategy actions:
Two peer-reviewed papers have been published using data from the environmental and social assessments:
Check out the industry’s sustainability performance and progress in specific topics across the three pillars of beef sustainability:
A Sustainability Strategy accompanies the assessment and serves as a roadmap to help guide achievement of the Canadian Beef industry’s 2030 goals. Strategic action items have been developed through input from our members and industry stakeholders and will take a collaborative effort across the supply chain to achieve them.
Learn more about our current sustainability performance below, and further detail on environmental, social and economic metrics.
Progress updates and success stories will be added from time to time. Learn more about our Goals and Sustainability Strategy, and Research Priorities.
Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
180-6815 8th Street NE, Calgary, AB T2E 7H7
info@crsb.ca
© 2025 Canadian Roundtable for Sustainable Beef
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Following a continuing trend, from 2014 to 2021, the Canadian beef industry has made great strides in increasing its production efficiency to reduce its carbon footprint. This encompasses contributions from enteric methane, manure management and feed production, and from smaller contributors including transport, bedding, water, energy and grazing.1,2
Through a combination of improved production practices such as management, genetics and nutrition, cattle have increased their feed efficiency, leading to faster growth and reduced time to reach market weight. This means less resources (land, feed, water) are needed to raise an animal.1,2
Since less time and resources are needed, the overall GHG emissions decreased per kg of boneless beef, consumed – leading to a smaller carbon footprint (alongside improvements in other environmental indicators; fossil fuel depletion, freshwater eutrophication and photochemical oxidant formation).1,2
This is significant progress contributed by the whole supply chain and puts us on the right path to achieve the industry’s goal of a 33% emissions intensity reduction by 2030.1,2,3
1 CRSB NBSA, 2024a
2 Aboagye et al., 2024
3 Canadian Beef Advisors GHG and Carbon 2030 Goals
Agricultural land occupation is determined by quantifying land used disturbing soil or habitat (m2 annual crop eq.). Land use is calculated based on the lifetime of the animal – for grazing and feed requirements.1,2
In Canada, beef production currently utilizes 40% of agricultural land, of which 84% is pasture. Of the remaining, 8% is used for growing hay and only 8% is cropland (7% barley and 1% other feed crops).1
Additionally, only 9% of Canada’s total cropland is used to grow feed for beef production.1
Beef production spans the entire country and encompasses a variety of ecosystems across the landscape. While considering the amount of land used is important, maintaining the health of an important [and endangered] ecosystem in Canada – native grasslands – is critical. Therefore, assessing biodiversity and carbon sequestration is an important piece to view overall environmental sustainability.
When considering all of Canada’s crop and pastureland:
In Canada, most of the remaining native grasslands and pasture are under the care of beef producers, and there is a strong link between biodiversity and land used by cattle. THEREFORE, grazing cattle is a critical tool in preserving habitat and supporting biodiversity.1
Note: Biodiversity and wildlife habitat was assessed using the Wildlife Habitat Capacity on Agricultural Land Index (WHCI) developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Results were provided directly from AAFC.
The role of grazing cattle in Canada in preserving carbon stored in the soil cannot be understated. Land used for beef production, of which 84% is pasture, is estimated to hold 1.9 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon1 – this is roughly equivalent to the annual emissions from over two billion cars.2
The majority of carbon is held in native (67%) and tame (24%) grasslands – highlighting the importance to keep this land intact and maintain its carbon stock and prevent release of carbon into the atmosphere.1
In addition, land use and beneficial management practices can further enhance soil carbon storage and can help offset emissions from beef production. Grassland management practices – such as rotational grazing – that increase net accumulation of carbon in grasslands are needed as they have the potential to minimize the rising concentration of atmospheric carbon dioxide.1 With the accounting of removals and emissions associated with Land Management Change (LMC) and (Land Use Change) taken into consideration the net carbon footprint of beef production in western Canada is estimated to decrease by a further 6%.1
1 CRSB NBSA, 2024a
2 Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator | Natural Resources Canada
The role of grazing cattle in Canada in preserving carbon stored in the soil cannot be understated. Land used for beef production, of which 84% is pasture, is estimated to hold 1.9 billion tonnes of soil organic carbon.1
This is roughly equivalent to the annual CO2 emissions of over two billion passenger vehicles – that’s emissions from 58 vehicles per Canadian!2*
This carbon storage is equivalent to over 10x annual carbon emissions from all of Canada.3*
1 CRSB NBSA, 2024a
2 Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator | Natural Resources Canada
3 Environment and Climate Change Canada (2024) Canadian Environmental Sustainability Indicators: Greenhouse gas emissions. Consulted on October 24, 2024. Available at: www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/services/environmental-indicators/greenhouse-gas-emissions.html.
*Representative of the year 2021
When considering all of Canada’s crop and pastureland, land used for beef production contributes the majority of critical habitat that wildlife need for reproduction (74%) and feeding (55%).1
Total wildlife habitat capacity in Canada has shrunk due to land use change – specifically native pasture being converted to cropland – and urban sprawl. As the wildlife move off these converted areas the proportion of habitat capacity attributed to beef land has increased.1
This showcases that the contribution of beef production to maintaining land heavily used for reproduction and feeding of many species is vital in maintaining Canada’s wildlife capacity.1
Note: Biodiversity and wildlife habitat was assessed using the Wildlife Habitat Capacity on Agricultural Land Index (WHCI) developed by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada (AAFC). Results were provided directly from AAFC.
Health and safety at work concerns the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being, and capabilities of all individuals involved in business operations, including employees but also producers and the people living on the farm.1,2
Awareness and preparation of on-farm health and safety is increasing. A focus on training and access to proper safety equipment would be beneficial.1,2
1 CRSB NBSA, 2024a
2 Graham et al., 2024
3 Canadian Agricultural Injury Reporting (CAIR): Agriculture-related fatalities in Canada 1990-2020
Labour management refers to the working conditions of individuals working throughout the supply chain and how these conditions contribute to human health, sustainable workplaces and communities.1,2
Industry stakeholders display a clear recognition in the value of hired labour and the need for continuous improvement in socially responsible recruitment and retention practices, such as benefits and wages, and professional development opportunities.1
Results suggest that challenges around labour availability, recruitment and retention are increasing workload levels with potential negative repercussions on people working in the industry. Policies and programs to support affected stakeholders to mitigate these challenges would alleviate the risks.1,2
1 CRSB NBSA, 2024a
2 Graham et al., 2024
3 Canadian Agricultural Human Resources Council (CAHRC). How Labour Challenges Will Shape the Future of the ‘Beef’ Industry: Agriculture Forecast to 2029 (2019).
Health and safety at work concerns the promotion and maintenance of the highest degree of physical, mental and social well-being, and capabilities of all individuals involved in business operations, including employees but also producers and the people living on the farm.1,2
Workload is ranked among the top 5 stressors for beef farmers.1
Positive conversations around stress and mental health have increased, building awareness and reducing the stigma of mental health challenges.1
Organizations such as Do More Ag, among many others, are increasing resources to help farmers, and more widespread accessibility to these resources will help producers across the country.
Economic sustainability is defined as the ability of a system to maintain productivity in the face of a major disturbance, as well as shifts in consumer preferences.1
Research suggests that for every worker employed by farm-level production of cattle in Canada, 2.5 workers are employed either directly or indirectly in the Canadian economy.1,2 And for every worker employed in the Canadian meat packing industry, another 3.4 workers are employed, including direct and indirect employment.1,2
As such, the sustainability of the beef industry is imperative for the well-being and
livelihoods of thousands of Canadians employed throughout the value chain as well as the millions of Canadian consumers demanding safe, high-quality, and nutritious protein options.
Consumer resilience is the ability of consumers to support the Canadian beef supply chain, despite challenges that may occur.1
Consumer demand is the ultimate driver for the long-term development of the cattle industry. A sustainable cattle industry evolves with the consumer market and responds to changes in consumer preferences. This includes identifying fads that have become trends and ensuring the systems are set up to respond to those consumer demands.1
Long-term trends, medium-term perceptions, and short-term market impacts were assessed in determining consumer demand for Canadian beef.
There is strong global demand for protein in general with growth of the population and disposable income, and strong choice for traditional animal-based protein. In North America we have seen a peak of alternative proteins and demand is now decreasing. Canadian beef producers are supporting demand through increased volumes of Canadian AAA and Prime produced beef.1
The Canadian cattle industry is a key contributor to the Canadian economy1,2:
As such, the sustainability of the beef industry is imperative for the well-being and livelihoods of thousands of Canadians employed throughout the value chain as well as the millions of Canadian consumers demanding safe, high quality, and nutritious protein options.
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