Social impacts of sustainable livestock intensification in Brazil

Brazil produces 20% of the world's beef, supporting economic growth and providing jobs and nutrition. However, beef production also contributes to deforestation and climate change. The sector needs to shift towards sustainable practices by decoupling production from deforestation and using existing land more efficiently. But sustainability also involves social aspects that enhance the well-being of people and communities through rural development, food affordability and employment. I use quantitative methods to explore how sustainable farming affects rural development, consumer prices and employment in Brazil. Comparing areas that did and did not adopt sustainable practices, I found that regions that adopted have about 9% better rural development and 9-18% lower poverty rates, suggesting that sustainable farming helps the environment and improves lives. Analysis of nearly 3000 beef products then explored whether environmentally responsible beef is more expensive for consumers. Results showed deforestation footprint does not affect retail prices. Sanitary regulation is the main price driver, with state-inspected beef $1.45/kg cheaper than products inspected at a federal level. These findings challenge the idea that conservation efforts lead to higher prices. Finally, I examined how decreasing beef demand and better pasture use impact employment. Using a model that simulates Brazilian beef production, I found that lowering beef demand to dietary guidelines levels cuts emissions by 6%, but also reduces employment by 6%. However, if there is less pasture available, cutting beef demand actually creates 20% more jobs. These findings highlight the need for careful planning to balance health and environmental benefits with job security.