The meat industry in the European Union is undergoing a rapid adjustment process to meet the new environmental requirements imposed by the Industrial Emissions Directive (IED) and the European Green Deal. Starting in 2025, operators in the food sector will be required to demonstrate reductions in both direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions, as well as the implementation of decarbonization plans at the level of each production unit.

According to the European Commission (DG ENV, 2025), the meat industry is responsible for approximately 12% of the total emissions generated by the European food sector. The new legislative framework requires carbon footprint monitoring for all processing facilities with a capacity of over 50 tonnes per day, through standardized annual reporting and independent environmental audits.

Eurostat data (2024) show that, over the past three years, total emissions from slaughterhouses and processing units have decreased by 8%, thanks to the introduction of cogeneration technologies and systems that recover energy from steam. The FAO confirms that using organic waste for biogas can reduce the energy footprint of a medium-sized slaughterhouse by up to 35%.

In Romania, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MADR), in collaboration with the Ministry of the Environment, has launched the “Green Food Industry” program, offering grants of up to €500,000 for investments in energy-efficiency equipment and emission management. In addition, through the 2023–2027 CAP Strategic Plan, processors can access funding for wastewater treatment facilities and technologies that reduce energy consumption.

According to the OECD (2025), adopting these measures is not only a compliance requirement but also an economic opportunity: companies that invest in energy efficiency reduce their operational costs by 10–15% and gain priority access to markets that enforce sustainability standards.

The meat industry is entering a new stage—one in which economic performance and climate responsibility become inseparable. Rapid adaptation to carbon footprint regulations is no longer an option but a condition for remaining present on the European market.

(Photo: Freepik)