Cattle grazing for the beef and leather industry is a major cause of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions globally. It is responsible for 80% of deforestation in the Amazon. 

This leads to significant biodiversity loss, increased fire risk, and soil erosion.

Raising animals for leather purposes requires huge quantities of water. According to Water Footpront Network, producing 1 kg of leather requires 17,000 litres of water.

Livestock farming is a significant contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O), which have higher global warming potentials than carbon dioxide (CO2). The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has estimated that livestock contributes to 14.5% of global GHG emissions, with cattle farming being a major component.

Leather tanning uses harmful chemicals such as Chromium, formaldehyde, and arsenic that pollute water and soil.