Fact sheets: Techno-economic assessment of emission-reduction pathways for the Australian chicken meat industry
Explore chicken meat emission pathways to 2050, with costs, feasibility and offsets across net zero, SBTi and floating targets.
CHICKEN MEAT
Fact sheets: Techno-economic assessment of emission-reduction pathways for the Australian chicken meat industry
15 pages
Published: 19 May 2026
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This project provides the first full techno-economic review of emission reduction options for Australia’s chicken meat industry. It draws on industry benchmark data to forecast emissions to 2050 under business as usual. It then tests three pathways and compares cost, practicality and likely uptake.
Results show that better productivity and a cleaner electricity grid can cut the product carbon footprint by 29% from 2020 to 2050. Even so, total Scope 1 and 2 emissions still rise as the industry grows.
Pathway 1 targets net zero Scope 1 and 2 emissions by 2050, in line with Federal Government goals. It would require more than 28 million trees on industry-owned land. Pathway 2 follows major customer SBTi-style targets and focuses on lowering emissions per kilogram of product. It still needs over 3.4 million trees.
Pathway 3 sets a “floating target” based on technologies available now, or likely soon, at realistic adoption rates. It needs no tree planting and looks the most workable option. However, it cannot meet net zero or key supply-chain targets on its own.
The project highlights the need for more investment, research and clear talks with customers and government about what the industry can achieve while keeping supply steady.
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