Lamb carbon footprint

24 kg CO2e per kg (about 2.4 kg CO2e per 100g) — compare with similar foods below.

Very High ImpactMeat

kg CO2e / kg

10,400

litres water / kg

185

m² land / kg

25g

protein / 100g

Per Serving

Serving size: 250g (1 portion)

CO2 per serving: 6 kg CO2e

CO2 per 100g: 2.4 kg CO2e

What does 24 kg CO2e mean?

Producing 1 kg of Lamb generates the same CO₂ as driving a petrol car for approximately 141 km, or charging a smartphone 2920 times. These are global average figures — actual values vary by country, farming method, and supply chain.

Lamb vs Other Meat

How does Lamb compare to other foods in the Meat category?

Lamb

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 Lamb produce?

Lamb produces approximately 24 kg of CO2 equivalent per kilogram. Per typical serving (250g / 1 portion), that's about 6 kg CO2e.

Is Lamb bad for the environment?

Lamb has a relatively high carbon footprint at 24 kg CO2e/kg. Consider lower-impact alternatives or reducing portion sizes to lower your dietary carbon footprint.

How much water does producing Lamb require?

Producing 1 kg of Lamb requires approximately 10,400 litres of water. This includes irrigation, processing, and supply chain water use.

What are lower-carbon alternatives to Lamb?

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.