Organic eggs are twice as bad for the climate as eggs from chickens living in cages, research suggests. This is because organic free-range models need more chickens for the same number of eggs produced, as birds living in cages tend to be more efficient. Organic free-range production also scored worst in its potential for water eutrophication, acidification and land use. The researchers estimated that 1,439,000 tCO2e is emitted under the current regime, in which egg production is split between caged, barn-housed, free-range non-organic and free-range organic systems. One of the Soil Association’s standards for organic eggs is that chickens must have continuous and easy daytime access to an outdoor range covered with suitable vegetation.