Beef (grass-fed) carbon footprint

21 kg CO2e per kg (about 2.1 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Very High ImpactMeat

kg CO2e / kg

15,400

litres water / kg

200

m² land / kg

26g

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 250g (1 steak)

CO2 per serving: 5.25 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 2.1 kg CO2e

What does 21 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Beef (grass-fed) generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 124 km, or charging a smartphone 2555 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Beef (grass-fed) vs Other Meat

How does Beef (grass-fed) compare to other foods in the Meat category?

Beef (grass-fed)

kg CO2e per kg — lower is better

Lower-Carbon Alternatives

Foods with a lower carbon footprint you could consider instead.

Watermelon

Fruits

0.3kg CO2e/kg-99%

Carrots

Vegetables

0.4kg CO2e/kg-98%

Apples

Fruits

0.4kg CO2e/kg-98%

Potatoes

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-98%

Onions

Vegetables

0.5kg CO2e/kg-98%

Methodology and data sources

Values are lifecycle-style estimates (farm to retail gate, typical global production mix), consistent with meta-analyses such as Poore & Nemecek (2018) and summaries like Our World in Data — environmental impacts of food. Your country, brand, and cooking method can shift real impacts; use comparisons on this page for directional choices, not exact accounting.

Browse the full food carbon database · Diet carbon calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much CO2 does Beef (grass-fed) produce?

Beef (grass-fed) produces approximately 21 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (250g / 1 steak), that's about 5.25 kg CO2e.

Is Beef (grass-fed) bad for the environment?

Beef (grass-fed) has a relatively high carbon footprint at 21 kg CO2e/kg. Consider lower-impact alternatives or reducing portion sizes to lower your dietary carbon footprint.

How much water does producing Beef (grass-fed) require?

Producing 1 kg of Beef (grass-fed) requires approximately 15,400 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Beef (grass-fed)?

Lower-carbon alternatives include Watermelon (0.3 kg CO2e/kg), Carrots (0.4 kg CO2e/kg), Apples (0.4 kg CO2e/kg). Switching to these can significantly reduce your dietary carbon footprint.