Role of Animal Husbandry in Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation: A Review
Shalu Singh *
Department Animal Husbandry, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agriculture and Technology Modipuram, Meerut, India.
Akhilesh Kumar Singh
Animal Husbandry and Dairying, Professor Rajendra Singh (Rajju Bhaiya) University (PRSU), Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh, India.
Shashikiran S Doddannavar
Department of Animal Genetics and Breeding, ICAR- National Dairy Research Institute (NDRI), Karnal, Haryana, India.
Sandeep Kumar
Livestock Products Technology, College of Veterinary and Animal Science (CVAS), Rajasthan University of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (RAJUVAS), Bikaner, Rajasthan, India.
Anish Kumar Sonwani
Department of Animal Husbandry and Livestock Development, Dau Shri Vasudev Chandrakar Kamdhenu Vishwavidyalaya, Durg, Chhattisgarh, India.
Harshvardhan Singh Purawat
Department of Animal Production, Rajasthan College of Agriculture, Maharana Pratap University of Agriculture and Technology, Udaipur, Rajasthan, India.
Michelle C. Lallawmkimi
Krishi Vigyan Kendra (KVK), Kolasib, Mizoram, India.
Udharwar Sanjaykumar Vithalrao
ICAR-Krishi Vigyan Kendra, North Goa, ICAR- Central Coastal Agricultural Research Institute, Ela, Old Goa, India.
Mahesh Uttam Tanpure
College of Agriculture, Badnapur, Vasantrao Naik Marathwada Krishi Vidyapeeth (VNMKV), Parbhani, Maharashtra, India.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Animal husbandry is central to global food systems because it supports food security, livelihoods, nutrition and rural economies. At the same time, livestock systems are linked to climate change through greenhouse gas emissions, land use, water demand and pollution, while also being vulnerable to climate variability. This review examines the role of animal husbandry in climate change mitigation and adaptation, with emphasis on livestock-related emissions, system resilience and sustainable management options. The manuscript highlights enteric methane, manure-derived nitrous oxide, land-use change and energy use as important emission pathways. Improved feeding, methane inhibitors, genetic improvement, efficient manure management, composting, biogas production, grazing management and crop–livestock integration are discussed as mitigation strategies that can reduce emission intensity. Adaptation measures include climate-resilient breeds, diversified livelihoods, adaptive feeding and housing, improved water management, climate services, early warning systems and pastoral mobility. The review also considers climate-smart livestock production, agroecological practices, circular economy approaches and the One Health framework as integrated pathways for improving sustainability. Economic barriers, technological limitations, extension gaps, policy constraints and productivity–sustainability trade-offs remain important challenges. Overall, the review indicates that animal husbandry can contribute to climate change responses when mitigation and adaptation strategies are implemented in a context-specific, economically feasible and institutionally supported manner.
Keywords: Animal husbandry, climate change, greenhouse gas emissions, methane, nitrous oxide, mitigation, adaptation, climate-smart livestock, manure management, sustainable grazing, resilience, One Health.