Lawsuit Filed by New York Attorney General against JBS USA, the World’s Largest Beef Producer, for Misleading Environmental Claims
New York Attorney General Letitia James has accused JBS USA of misleading the public about its environmental impact. The lawsuit, filed on Feb. 28 in the New York State Supreme Court, alleges that JBS claimed it would achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2040 without a viable plan in place. According to James, JBS has made misleading statements about its commitments to reduce emissions and deforestation to appeal to climate-conscious consumers.
The lawsuit also claims that JBS reported over 71 million tons of global greenhouse gas emissions in 2021, making its net zero commitment unfeasible given its business operations and plans to increase beef production. James is seeking to force JBS USA to end its “Net Zero by 2040” campaign and return any profits associated with the pledge while also pursuing civil penalties of up to $5,000 per violation.
Despite the allegations, a spokesperson from JBS maintained that the company is dedicated to reducing the environmental impact of agriculture and feeding a growing population sustainably. The Epoch Times has reached out to JBS USA for further comment on the matter.