A new study from Belgium's Climate Change Department concludes that the country cannot achieve carbon neutrality by 2050 without drastic changes to agriculture and land use. The study warns that natural carbon sinks like forests and grasslands are being depleted, with absorption capacity down by a factor of six since 1990. Without intervention, these ecosystems could become net emitters. The most ambitious scenario calls for cutting livestock numbers significantly: 45% for dairy cows, 70% for pigs, and 71% for cattle versus 2022 levels. That would free up over 278,000 hectares of farmland for reforestation, wetland restoration, and agroforestry. The study also emphasizes the need for a coherent policy framework and support for farmers to make the transition feasible.
