Developing Nations Call for ‘Meat Tax’ on High-Income Countries 

Why is it in News?

• At COP30, 28 low-income countries (Africa + Pacific) issued the Belém Declaration demanding a GHG pricing mechanism (“meat tax”) on high-income countries’ industrial livestock sector.
• They argue overconsumption of meat in rich nations → disproportionate GHG emissions, especially methane.
• They demand 20% of revenues from the tax to be directed to the Loss and Damage Fund.

Relevance

GS 3 – Environment & Climate Change

• Polluter pays principle applied to food systems & livestock emissions.
• Methane (CH₄), N₂O emissions; agriculture’s GHG footprint (~33% globally).
• Loss and Damage Fund financing debates; COP negotiation issues.
• Sustainable diets, overconsumption, ecological footprint.

GS 2 – International Relations

• Climate equity: developing vs developed country responsibilities.
• Global negotiations (COP30, Belém Declaration) and South-South coalitions.
• Transition pathways for high-income economies.

What Is a ‘Meat Tax’ Proposal?

• A GHG pricing mechanism targeting industrial livestock in high-income economies.
• Based on polluter pays principle → those causing higher emissions must compensate climate-vulnerable nations.
• Intended to reduce overconsumption-driven emissions and support climate adaptation in developing nations.

Why Agriculture Is Under Scrutiny

• Food systems contribute ~33% of global GHG emissions.
• Livestock = majority of agri emissions, dominated by methane (CH₄).
• High emission footprint:
  • Beef: 70 kg CO₂e/kg
  • Pork: 12 kg CO₂e/kg
  • Chicken: 9.9 kg CO₂e/kg
  • Legumes: 2 kg/kg
  • Nuts: 0.4 kg/kg

What the Belém Declaration Seeks

• High-income countries + major economies (OECD, EU, China) to:
  • Introduce emission pricing on industrial meat.
  • Transfer ≥20% revenue to the Loss and Damage Fund.
• Apply the polluter pays principle beyond fossil fuels → food systems.
• Push for inclusion of “animal protein overconsumption transition” in future COP agendas.

Who Are the Signatories?

• 28 nations across Africa and the Pacific (Nigeria, Uganda, Fiji, Vanuatu, PNG, Kiribati, Liberia, etc.).
• Represent 14 million highly climate-vulnerable people.
• Supported by 80+ NGOs and international organisations.

Rationale Behind the Demand

a) Disproportionate Emissions

• High-income nations consume 4–5x the recommended meat intake (EAT-Lancet).
• OECD average: 71.4 kg/person/year
• China: 62 kg
• Developing countries: 26.6 kg
• Climate impact from Northern industrial livestock far exceeds that of smallholder livestock systems in the South.

b) Inequity in Climate Burden

• Developing countries criticized for methane emissions (e.g., India) though:
  • Their systems are low-input, multi-purpose, subsistence-based.
  • Emissions per animal are generally lower than industrial Western systems.
• Industrial livestock systems in rich countries → high feed demand, deforestation, high energy inputs, manure CH₄, N₂O emissions.

c) Rising Livestock Demand Unsustainable

• FAO projection:
  • Global herd size to rise 50% by 2050 (from 2012 baseline).
• Breaks alignment with Net Zero 2050.

Why High-Income Countries Are Targeted ?

• Meat consumption levels exceed sustainable thresholds by large margins.
• Industrial livestock expansion linked to:
  • Large land use
  • Forest loss
  • High methane and nitrous oxide emissions
  • High water/energy footprint
• Benefits of a meat tax:
  • Lower production incentives
  • Shift to plant-based diets
  • Reduced land use
  • Higher carbon sequestration through rewilding/restoration

How the Tax Revenue Will Be Used ?

• At least 20% to Loss and Damage Fund:
  • Compensation for countries facing sea-level rise, storms, floods, droughts
  • Especially for small island developing states (SIDS)
• Remaining revenue (country-dependent) could be used for:
  • Climate mitigation policies
  • Dietary transition programs
  • Sustainable agriculture support

Key Arguments by Developing Nations

• Overconsumption in rich nations = major cause of food-related emissions.
• Food-related climate crisis is not just a developing-world problem.
• Meat consumption and fossil fuel use have similar entrenched inequity patterns.
• Industrial livestock must be treated like fossil fuels in emission accounting.

Counterarguments & Challenges

• Industrial meat lobby denies high emission contribution.
• Concerns about:
  • Inflation
  • Food affordability
  • Sovereignty over dietary choices
• Implementation requires:
  • Strong MRV system for livestock emissions
  • Agreement on social equity and revenue sharing
  • Political acceptance in OECD nations

Conclusion

• The Belém Declaration marks the first collective demand to price GHG emissions from industrial livestock in wealthy nations based on the polluter pays principle.
• Scientific evidence shows agriculture—particularly industrial livestock—is a major driver of global emissions, with high-income consumption patterns disproportionately responsible.
• A meat tax could reduce emissions, correct inequities, fund Loss & Damage support, and accelerate a global shift toward sustainable food systems.

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