This brief reviews opportunities and challenges related to livestock’s potential to contribute to agroecological transition, focusing on four main themes, which rely on different elements of agroecology: supporting better livelihoods and creating added value; conserving and using diversity; recycling for better efficiency and finally climate change mitigation and adaptation. It presents recommendations for a better inclusion of livestock in international efforts to transition to sustainable food and agriculture through upscaling and wider adoption of agroecology.