A new study in Royal Society Open Science finds that organic free-range egg production in the UK would emit about 2.3 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, nearly double the 1.2 million tonnes from fully caged systems. The main reason is that organic models require more hens to produce the same number of eggs, making them less efficient per unit of output. The research also shows organic systems score worse on water eutrophication, acidification, and land use, with higher chicken mortality rates. The study uses data from 2009-2010, which the authors acknowledge may not reflect recent changes. It does not account for pesticide use or biodiversity impacts, where organic could perform better. Critics like the Soil Association say the analysis gives an incomplete picture, missing factors like soil health and synthetic inputs. The findings highlight a trade-off between animal welfare and climate impact that consumers and policymakers need to consider.
