International Perspectives on Livestock Methane Mitigation

Summary

The discussion focuses on strategies for reducing methane emissions in agriculture across Brazil, New Zealand, and Ireland. Panelists share insights on government policies, private sector involvement, and innovative solutions such as carbon sequestration and feed additives. Key challenges include incentivizing farmers, developing carbon markets, and ensuring accurate emissions accounting. While New Zealand sees market-driven pressure for reductions, Ireland focuses on reducing fertilizer use and advancing feed technologies, and Brazil emphasizes sustainable land use and deforestation reduction. Collaboration between public and private sectors is seen as essential for achieving climate goals in the agricultural industry.

Takeaways

• 😀 Government policies, such as New Zealand's Carbon Zero Act, aim to reduce methane and other greenhouse gases, with a strong focus on market-driven solutions rather than strict regulations.
• 😀 New Zealand's agricultural sector has already seen a high percentage of farmers (80-90%) understand their greenhouse gas emissions, which helps benchmark and drive improvements.
• 😀 Carbon sequestration in New Zealand soils is a potential solution to emissions, with soils showing 50% higher carbon levels than the global average, thanks to the use of permanent pastures for over 100 years.
• 😀 The market is expected to play a large role in driving agricultural sustainability, as multinational companies push for lower greenhouse gas emissions in their supply chains.
• 😀 In Ireland, reducing fertilizer use by 30% over three years and lowering livestock numbers are potential methods for reducing methane emissions, though the latter is not currently being pursued.
• 😀 Brazil's agricultural sector has benefited from public-private partnerships, with government loans and technical assistance helping farmers adopt more sustainable practices and recover degraded pastures.
• 😀 Innovation and technology adoption in agriculture, particularly in Brazil, are crucial for making the sector more profitable and sustainable, driving both public and private sector collaboration.
• 😀 Public-private partnerships, such as New Zealand's AgriZero, are essential for addressing greenhouse gas emissions, with the private sector expected to lead in innovation and the public sector supporting through regulations and funding.
• 😀 Ireland's public sector, through Chagas, plays a key role in developing and testing green technologies like feed additives, while the private sector helps to implement these solutions on farms.
• 😀 The Brazilian livestock sector faces challenges related to land-use change and deforestation but is working to adopt land-saving technologies and systems that reduce pressure on forests and decrease emissions.

Q & A

What is the main driver of emission reductions in New Zealand's agricultural sector, according to the discussion?

The main driver of emission reductions in New Zealand's agricultural sector is the marketplace. Multinational companies are pushing for lower greenhouse gas emissions, which is then passed onto farmers, rather than relying solely on government incentives or regulations.

How does the carbon Zero Act in New Zealand contribute to emission reduction efforts?

The carbon Zero Act in New Zealand outlines a commitment to reduce methane and other long-lived gases to limit global warming. It includes efforts to help farmers understand their greenhouse gas emissions and benchmarks to track progress.

Why is carbon sequestration in the soil a significant focus for New Zealand’s agricultural sector?

Carbon sequestration in New Zealand’s agricultural sector is significant because the country’s soil contains 50% higher carbon than the global average. Most agricultural land is permanent pasture, which has been in place for over 100 years, offering a natural opportunity for carbon capture.

What approach is Ireland taking to reduce methane emissions in its agricultural sector?

Ireland is focusing on measures like reducing fertilizer inputs by 30%, lowering slaughter ages, and reducing methane emissions through feed additives. However, reducing livestock numbers is not currently being considered, though it might be discussed if other measures don't achieve desired results.

How has Brazil's approach to reducing emissions in agriculture been shaped by public-private partnerships?

Brazil has developed public-private partnerships to encourage sustainable farming practices. These partnerships provide loans, technical assistance, and promote integrated livestock-crop-forest systems, helping farmers to increase productivity and sustainability.

What role does the private sector play in addressing greenhouse gas emissions in New Zealand's agricultural sector?

In New Zealand, the private sector is expected to drive innovation and solutions for reducing emissions. The public sector supports by providing funding and creating an enabling regulatory environment, with joint ventures like AgreZero helping to promote collaboration between the public and private sectors.

How does Ireland's public sector, particularly Chagas, work with private industry to reduce emissions?

Chagas, the public sector agency in Ireland, works with private industry to test new technologies like feed additives. The collaboration ensures that scientific research is applied practically, helping farmers reduce emissions while ensuring profitability.

How does the Brazilian agricultural sector manage deforestation and land use changes?

Brazil is working to reduce deforestation rates through a combination of command-and-control policies and incentives for adopting land-saving practices. The country encourages farmers to recover degraded pastures and adopt integrated farming systems that improve land use efficiency.

What challenges do farmers face in accessing carbon markets, and how is the government helping in this regard?

Farmers face challenges in accessing carbon markets due to issues like double accounting and the lack of robust data for carbon sequestration in agriculture. Governments are working on developing standardized protocols, improving data collection, and ensuring that carbon credits are accurately assigned to the farmers who reduce emissions.

What is the role of science-based approaches in measuring methane emissions and carbon credits?

Science-based approaches are crucial for developing reliable protocols that account for methane emissions and carbon sequestration. These approaches ensure accurate measurement, prevent double counting, and create a transparent system that helps farmers participate in carbon markets while maintaining credibility.