McDonald's wants to make flatulent cows less of a problem for the environment

illuminem summarizes for you the essential news of the day. Read the full piece on Business Insider or enjoy below:

🗞️ Driving the news: McDonald's, partnering with Syngenta and meat supplier Lopez Foods, is introducing a genetically modified cattle feed called Enogen corn
• This feed improves digestibility, potentially reducing methane emissions from livestock and lowering the carbon and water footprint of beef production
• The initiative aligns with McDonald's goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050

🔭 The context: Methane from cattle digestion accounts for roughly a quarter of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions
• Enogen corn, developed by Syngenta, converts starch to sugars more efficiently, helping cattle grow faster with fewer resources
• McDonald's is one of the largest beef buyers globally, making this a significant step in mitigating the environmental impact of its supply chain

🌍 Why it matters for the planet: Innovations in livestock feed can meaningfully reduce methane emissions, a potent greenhouse gas contributing to global warming
• As a major player in the fast-food industry, McDonald's actions could influence sustainable practices across the sector

⏭️ What's next: McDonald's plans to scale the use of Enogen corn as part of its broader sustainability strategy
• Continued progress will depend on partnerships with suppliers and advancements in agricultural technology to further reduce emissions

💬 One quote: "We believe the innovative collaboration with Syngenta is an opportunity to help us make progress toward our science-based climate targets," - Kendra Levine, McDonald's US Sustainability Director

📈 One stat: A herd of 1,000 cattle fed Enogen corn could reduce emissions by 196 tons of carbon dioxide and save 6 million gallons of water annually

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