Animal Systems Modeling: Q&A with Tim Harper

Across the food industry, one of the toughest challenges remains: how to accurately measure and reduce emissions from animal agriculture.

We sat down with Tim Harper, Planet FWD’s Animal Systems expert, to unpack why livestock modeling is so complex — and how companies can start tackling their highest-impact category: purchased goods and services.

Tim has spent years working with livestock systems across geographies, production types, and data environments. In this Q&A, he shares practical guidance for sustainability teams looking to turn animal agriculture data into real emissions progress.

Understanding the Challenge

What is the biggest source of Scope 3 emissions in food companies?
Purchased goods and services (Scope 3 Category 1) represent the largest emissions share. We have found with Planet FWD customers & otherwise that meat and dairy can represent up to 5–85% of total emissions for major food companies.

Why is measuring beef and dairy emissions so difficult?
Farm-level variability creates vastly different emissions profiles between operations. Most farmers lack tracking systems, and only 41% of companies report emissions for even one Scope 3 category. Livestock emissions come from multiple sources: enteric fermentation, feed production, manure management, and land use. Purpose-built modeling tools haven't been widely adopted or made available.

As Tim explains, “These are living, breathing animals — it’s more difficult than modeling a combustion engine. There are many different breeds, geographies, and practices, which add layers of complexity.”

What are the main sources of emissions in animal agriculture?
Emissions come from enteric fermentation (methane from digestion), feed production, including fertilizer, manure management, land use change, and processing. Up to 80% of animal protein's footprint occurs on-farm, making farm-level data collection essential.

• Enteric Fermentation
  
  
• Manure Storage
  
  
• Feed, Fuel, Energy
  
  
• Transport
  
  

Getting Started with Measurement

How do I measure emissions from beef and dairy in my supply chain?
Many companies make sustainable sourcing choices, but can't measure the difference. Planet FWD's Animal Systems Modeling tool combines supplier engagement, farm data collection, and LCA modeling in one platform so you can finally quantify and showcase your better sourcing decisions. Our animal systems modeling tool can produce a custom emission factor based on supplier engagement and for your own farm. If this data is not available, our background models are highly granular, so we can easily model your supply using secondary data.

What data do I need to calculate a beef carbon footprint?
Ideal data includes herd characteristics, feed composition, manure practices, and land management. Planet FWD works with limited data, too. If you only know product type, farm type, region, and basic practices, our standard models generate meaningful estimates that improve over time.

A good place to start is:

• Farm performance and efficiency
  
  
• Geography and Climate
  
  
• Animal Characteristics
  
  
• Management Strategies
  
  
• Manure storage equipment and systems
  
  

Can I model emissions for different types of livestock operations?
Yes. Planet FWD includes tailored models for beef cattle, dairy, poultry, and swine operations. This ensures measurements reflect real-world practices.

Supplier Engagement & Data Collection

How do I get my suppliers to share emissions data?
Only 41% of companies report on even one Scope 3 category, and only 39% engage their suppliers on climate issues. Planet FWD makes it easier by offering direct portal invitations, guided step-by-step entry designed for farmers without LCA expertise, and flexible requirements that work with available information.

What if my meat suppliers don't have emissions data?
Start with our standard models based on farm type and region. Invite suppliers to share specific data through the portal, or use a hybrid approach. The system improves accuracy as more information becomes available.

How do I engage farmers in my sustainability program?
Focus on operational questions farmers already know. Show clear value in building relationships and owning their carbon footprint. Build trust through data privacy and sharing results back. Planet FWD's portal makes participation easy and worthwhile.

Compliance & Reporting

How do I report agricultural emissions for CSRD/CDP/SBTi?
CSRD became mandatory for large EU companies in January 2025. CDP requires Category 1 measurement with higher scores for primary data. SBTi's FLAG guidance requires specific methodologies with separate biogenic carbon tracking. Planet FWD delivers audit-ready outputs for all frameworks.

Are Planet FWD LCA tools compliant with GHG Protocol standards?
Planet FWD is built on GHG Protocol standards, ISO standards (14040, 14044, 14067), SBTi FLAG guidance, and PEF methodology. Non-compliant calculations can't be used for regulatory reporting or credible claims.

Making Decisions & Taking Action

Should I focus on reducing beef emissions or switching to plant-based?
Both. You can't eliminate animal products due to customer demand and supply chain realities, but you can't ignore emissions given regulatory requirements. Measure with farm-level accuracy, engage suppliers on reduction strategies, track progress, and complement with strategic plant-based offerings.

What are the most effective ways to reduce livestock emissions?
Feed optimization reduces emissions 15–30%. Manure management improvements reduce 20–40%. Regenerative grazing can reduce net emissions up to 62% through carbon sequestration. Genetics and herd management reduce 10–30%. Strategies must match actual supplier practices, requiring farm-level data.

How do I prioritize which suppliers to engage first?
Conduct hotspot analysis to identify high-impact products. Focus on direct suppliers with strong relationships. Start with suppliers tracking sustainability metrics. Match characteristics to proven strategies. Planet FWD's modeling enables hotspot analysis before engagement, then scales across priority suppliers.

Comparing Solutions

Do I need separate tools for product LCAs and corporate carbon accounting?
No. Traditional approaches require multiple platforms, manual data transfer, and higher costs. Planet FWD integrates product LCAs and corporate Scope 1–3 accounting with supplier engagement tools. Your beef LCA automatically feeds your product LCA or Scope 3 Category 1 calculations.

How long does it take to complete an LCA for animal products?
Planet FWD delivers complete LCAs in weeks using guided entry, pre-built models, built-in expertise, and dynamic models that update as you refine data.

What Makes Planet FWD Different
Planet FWD is the first platform for animal agriculture emissions at enterprise scale. We provide purpose-built livestock models based on years of animal science expertise. Supplier engagement is built-in with a dedicated portal. The platform integrates product LCAs and corporate Scope 1–3 accounting. All methodology is GHG Protocol and ISO compliant, delivering audit-ready data.

Curious to learn more from Tim and our approach to animal systems modeling? Chat with our team here.