Environmental indicators in the meat chain

Abstract

This chapter gives an overview of the main environmental indicators in the meat chain. The meat sector is considered as one of the leading polluters in the food industry where its impact affects the entire meat chain. Regardless of the research methodology, environmental impacts of the meat chain occurs in three dimensions—climate change, revealing the necessity of analyzing greenhouse gas emissions in perspectives of global warming potential, consumption of natural resources mainly water and energy, and polluting the environment with waste (both organic and inorganic) and polluted wastewater. Bottom-up approach in analyzing environmental indicators provides new evidence relating to the meat sector. It can help environmental specialists and managers in the meat sector, directing them as to how to improve environmental practices on-site. Finally, this chapter gives an overview of improvement perspectives and future research dimensions.