Scientists Reveal the Scale of Meat and Dairy Industry Greenwashing

Cows at a dairy farm in Mount Vernon, Washington, US, on April 20, 2026. —David Ryder—Getty ImagesMeat and dairy production are among the biggest contributors to global emissions. And many companies are increasingly aware of their climate impacts—and eager to take action. But according to new research released today, the majority of the sustainability claims and commitments made by meat and dairy companies can be considered greenwashing.The production of meat for human and animal consumption is responsible for 57% of total global food production emissions, while the global dairy sector alone contributes to 4% of global emissions. The world’s top five emitting companies—JBS, Marfrig, Tyson, Minerva, and Cargill—were responsible for an estimated 496 million tonnes of greenhouse gases in 2023, more than reported for Chevron, Shell, or BP.  “Meat and dairy companies are under a lot of scrutiny and pressure to speak about the environment,” says Jennifer Jacquet, professor of environmental science and policy at the University of Miami, and one of the study’s authors. Read more: What Happens When Diners Are Shown Climate Warning Labels on Meat DishesThe researchers, whose study was published in the peer-reviewed journal PLOS Climate, examined 1,233 environmental claims made by 33 of the biggest meat and dairy companies between 2021-2024, pulled from publicly available sustainability reports and websites. They used a greenwashing assessment framework developed by researchers in 2022, and found that 98% of claims examined fall under the category of greenwashing—misleading statements that boost the appearance of a company’s sustainability efforts in the eyes of…

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