Reducing Enteric Methane for improving food security and livelihoods

For an estimated 800 million resource-poor farmers, ruminant production is a pathway out of poverty. However, ruminants are a large contributor to greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions, in particular enteric methane (CH4).

Farming systems that are more productive generally have higher total CH4 emissions but much lower emissions per unit of product (also referred to as ‘emissions intensity (Ei)’ ... [read more]

What is enteric methane?

Naturally occurring methane is generated by anaerobic fermentation, where bacteria break down organic matter producing hydrogen (H2), carbon dioxide (CO2) and methane (CH4). This process naturally occurs in the digestive system of domesticated and wild ruminants, natural wetlands, and rice patties. In ruminants, methane is produced mostly by enteric fermentation where microbes decompose and ferment plant materials, such as celluloses, fiber, starches, and sugars, in their digestive tract or rumen. [read more]

Why it is important

Addressing enteric methane can deliver quick and immediate wins for climate change mitigation. [read more]

Win-win opportunities

Increasing the productivity of ruminant systems can benefit millions of rural farmers by providing higher incomes [read more]

Related documents

 

To learn more about low-cost strategies to reduce enteric methane emissions, click on the selected countries

[Argentina: English - Español]

[Bangladesh] [Ethiopia] [Kenya] [Tanzania]

[Sri Lanka ] [Uruguay: English - Español] [Uganda]

[West Africa: Français]

 

 

 

Areas of work

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