As COP29 unfolds in Baku, new research reveals how the largest meat and dairy corporations fail to address their climate impact, despite promoting green claims. The brief, Big Emissions, Empty Promises, exposes weak national policies and corporate commitments that fall short of effectively reducing methane emissions and achieving meaningful climate action in agriculture. Here’s what the analysis uncovered:

• Misleading commitments: Many Big Meat and Dairy companies make voluntary pledges, yet only three align with science-backed goals to limit global warming to 1.5°C by 2050. Most initiatives rely heavily on ineffective techno-fixes like biogas, which address only a fraction of methane emissions from livestock.
• Lack of national regulation: In the 11 countries housing the largest corporations, national strategies largely exclude mandatory agricultural emissions reductions, leaving meat and dairy emissions unchecked. Policies emphasise weak, supply-side measures and lack incentives for greenhouse gas reductions or plant-based transitions.
• Industry influence and policy weakening: Major corporations influence national and international policies to avoid regulation. For example, EU policies meant to reduce meat production were altered or abandoned, while U.S. agricultural strategies focus more on supporting manure-based biogas than on reducing emissions at the source.
• Unmet Global Methane Pledge goals: Despite nearly all relevant countries signing the Global Methane Pledge, no specific targets or regulations have been set for agricultural methane reductions, allowing companies to promote regenerative agriculture initiatives with little accountability.

Call to action: The brief urges governments, particularly those committed to the Global Methane Pledge, to set concrete methane reduction targets for agriculture, requiring Big Meat and Dairy to reduce emissions, cut livestock production, and transition toward sustainable, plant-based food systems.

This brief is the second in a series examining Big Meat and Dairy’s influence on climate policy. Part 1, Big Meat and Dairy’s Narratives to Derail Climate Action, uncovered the deceptive narratives these corporations use to undermine effective climate measures. Both briefs build on findings from The New Merchants of Doubt: How Big Meat and Dairy Avoid Climate Action, which detailed how industry giants employ greenwashing tactics to sidestep real climate accountability.