This FAO report presents a comprehensive global assessment of GHG emissions from livestock and potential mitigation strategies. For the reference year of 2015, livestock systems with cattle, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs and chickens collectively contribute to 6.2 Gt CO2eq emissions, constituting approximately 12 percent of all anthropogenic GHG emissions. The predominant contributor, accounting for 62 percent of emissions, is the farming of cattle. In terms of products, about two-thirds of the emissions are allocated to the meat production across all species. Additionally, about one-third of global emissions are related to the production of feed inputs, including fertilizer and pesticide use. This report identifies significant disparities in the relative emissions associated with the production of one unit of milk, meat or eggs – commonly referred to as “emission intensity” or “carbon footprint” – across countries, species and production systems. These discrepancies result from differences in breeds, management practices, feed quality and environmental conditions, and underscore the potential for reducing the carbon footprint by addressing these factors. This approach does not account for the multifunctionality of livestock in many regions of the world where livestock is kept not only for its product but also for its role to provide draft power, financial asset, savings and social status. Drawing from an extensive literature review, this report illustrates pathways toward lower emissions through a set of interventions including improvements in animal health and welfare, the reduction of food loss and waste throughout the production chain, enhancements in breeding practices, elevated feed quality, and targeted measures to mitigate GHG emissions, such as rumen manipulation and the use of feed additives. The most significant reductions in both absolute and relative emissions can be achieved by prioritizing improvements in productivity, not only per animal but also by optimising efficiency at each stage of the production chain. This report estimates that, if implemented collectively, these improvements have the potential to reduce emissions from the livestock sector significantly, while still meeting the additional 20 percent animal protein demand projected by 2050.