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Every year almost 600 million tonnes of methane are emitted in the atmosphere. Of these, about 60 percent originates from human activities. Agriculture contributes to nearly half of the global anthropogenic methane production, followed by fossil fuels and waste. The livestock sector is one of the greatest contributors of methane emissions, mainly produced through the natural digestive process of ruminants known as “enteric fermentation” and manure management practices. Methane is a highly potent greenhouse gas that increases global temperature. To limit global warming by 2030, countries should reduce methane emissions, particularly from livestock, by 30 percent. FAO supports countries to mitigate methane emissions from livestock as part of their climate actions, while improving food security and livelihoods.

Areas of work

Mitigation opportunities

Capacity building

Science-based policies

Stakeholder engagement

Key facts

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The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recommended that global methane emissions must be reduced by 40 to 45 percent by 2030 to limit global warming to 1.5° C this century.

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Agriculture contributes about 40 percent of anthropogenic methane emissions, mainly from livestock systems (32 percent) and rice cultivation (8 percent).

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Research and technical development are identifying innovative solutions to cut methane emissions in the livestock sector.

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Cattle population is the largest in the world and is responsible for around 75 percent of global enteric methane emissions.

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In the livestock sector, methane is produced mostly by the digestive process of ruminants through enteric fermentation. As microbes decompose and ferment plant materials in the rumen, methane is expelled by the animal through burping.

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Technical and policy solutions aimed at improving animal nutrition, health, and genetics must be accessible to all farmers through technology, knowledge transfer, incentives and investments.

Highlights

News

FAO launches new activity book for kids on livestock and climate change as part of COP29 efforts

In support of the upcoming 29th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), FAO has released a new activity book designed to educate children and pre-teens on the role of livestock in human communities and their impact on the environment.

Video

Livestock and enteric methane

Burping livestock are a big problem for our planet. When cows and other ruminants eat, their food ferments in their gut and produces methane, which contributes to global warming.

News

Zambia advances livestock methane mitigation through hands-on training

Zambia strengthens its commitment to climate action with a new training workshop focused on greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory and reporting, mitigation strategies and climate-smart livestock production.

Latest publications

Publication

Activity book – Livestock and climate change

In this FAO activity book for children and pre-teens, we will show how livestock animals can even contribute to the planet's climate change through greenhouse gas emissions and, at the same time, be victims of these changes.

Publication

Actions climatiques dans le secteur de l’élevage au Sénégal

Améliorer les contributions déterminées au niveau national pour un avenir durable

Report

Pathways towards lower emissions

A global assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and mitigation options from livestock agrifood systems

Multimedia

How can sustainable livestock systems contribute to climate action?

04/12/2023

Experts from various fields share their knowledge and insights on the road to the 2023 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28). At the heart...

Voices of livestock and climate change stakeholders in Asia and the Pacific

31/10/2023

This video captures the essence of innovative discussions and transformative initiatives to address the pressing issues of livestock, climate change,...

Livestock and enteric methane

23/02/2023

Burping livestock are a big problem for our planet. When cows and other ruminants eat, their food ferments in their gut and produces methane, which...