Meat group JBS abandons net zero target

By the Editorial Team · Friday, July 10, 2026

JBS has abandoned its net zero emissions goal for its entire supply chain, choosing instead to focus on reducing emissions from its own operations. This shift highlights the difficulty of managing indirect emissions in complex supply chains and raises concerns about the adequacy of corporate climate commitments in the livestock industry.

JBS, the world’s largest meat supplier, has abandoned its previously announced net zero emissions target, citing the challenges of managing indirect greenhouse gas emissions from its supply chain. The Brazilian company, which operates globally, had committed in 2021 to reaching net zero across its entire value chain, including emissions generated by livestock purchased from thousands of farmers.

The decision specifically affects what are known as Scope 3 emissions, the indirect emissions primarily linked to the livestock that JBS slaughters, which constitute the majority of its environmental footprint. The company said it will now prioritize reducing emissions within its own operations—Scope 1 and 2 emissions—which represent roughly 3 percent of its total greenhouse gas output, including methane.

Jason Weller, JBS’s chief sustainability officer, emphasized that the company remains committed to climate action but will focus on goals tied to areas where it has operational control. “Bold ambition is fine, but you now need to have really good, measurable, accountable goals. And that’s what we’re doing—setting goals where we have operational control,” he said.

JBS plans to reduce emissions intensity from its core operations by 30 percent by 2030 compared with 2019 levels and aims for a 70 percent reduction by 2050. Emissions intensity is a relative measure that allows emissions to increase in absolute terms if the company’s revenue grows.

Livestock production accounts for an estimated 14.5 percent of human-induced greenhouse gas emissions globally, according to the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization. Cattle emit methane, a potent greenhouse gas with a higher warming potential than carbon dioxide over a shorter timeframe. Various approaches to reduce methane emissions through livestock feed have been tested but remain limited in scope and effectiveness.

JBS’s move has drawn criticism from environmental groups that have long scrutinized the company’s environmental impact, particularly its role in deforestation in the Amazon rainforest. Daniela Montalto, a food and forest campaigner at Greenpeace, described the decision to abandon Scope 3 emissions targets as “unspeakably reckless,” highlighting the significant methane emissions associated with JBS’s supply chain.

In response, Weller pointed to the company’s progress in eliminating deforestation linked to its direct and indirect cattle suppliers in the Amazon, maintaining that JBS is addressing key environmental issues within its influence.

The shift by JBS reflects a broader trend among some major corporations re-evaluating the feasibility of accounting for and reducing indirect emissions within complex supply chains, raising questions about the scope and ambition of corporate climate commitments in sectors with extensive upstream emissions.

This article was reported by synthesizing coverage from multiple independent news outlets to present a balanced, unbiased account. Read about our editorial standards. Spotted an error? Let us know.