Livestock and enteric methane

Fostering methane mitigation in the livestock sector in the Central African Republic

FAO and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Central African Republic have recently presented a new project to reduce methane emissions.

13/12/2024

The collaboration between FAO and the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development of the Central African Republic has been instrumental in developing a new joint project to tackle methane emissions in the country. On 9 December, FAO and the ministry launched the initiative “Deliver methane emission and mitigation assessments for the livestock sector” funded by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC).

In the context of the Global Methane Pledge, this new project aims to provide technical assistance to the government of the Central African Republic to reduce methane emissions within the livestock sector, contributing to climate action and sustainable development. The initiative will focus on assessing and reporting methane emissions from the livestock sector and identifying context-specific solutions to mitigate these emissions at the country level.

Livestock and climate action in Central African Republic

Livestock is a vital economic sector in the Central African Republic, playing a significant role in rural livelihoods and accounting for 15 percent of the national gross domestic product, according to the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health. However, this sector is highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change, such as frequent droughts and extreme temperatures, all of which directly affect livestock productivity and health. Traditional livestock practices, such as extensive raising systems, also generate substantial methane emissions, with cattle being the main contributors. This highlights the urgent need for sustainable and resilient mitigation strategies to address these challenges.

The Central African Republic has shown strong commitment to climate action, particularly through its nationally determined contribution (NDC), which prioritize adaptation and mitigation in the agricultural sector. Since joining the CCAC in 2013, the country has demonstrated its dedication to reducing short-lived climate pollutants. 

About the project

The project “Deliver methane emission and mitigation assessments for the livestock sector” focuses on assessing and mitigating methane emissions in the livestock sector of the Central African Republic. It brings together key ministries, including the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, and the Ministry of Livestock and Animal Health, to collaborate on developing low-emission and reduction strategies aimed at enhancing the livestock sector’s resilience to climate change.

The initiative was presented during a national workshop organized by FAO on 9 December in Bangui. The event brought together about fifty participants from government agencies, the private sector, civil society organizations, and international financial institutions. The workshop focused on illustrating the project's goals, priority actions, and the role of key national actors in the implementation phases. The initiative aims to creating an inter-institutional collaboration framework, identifying data sources and challenges, and establishing a roadmap for project implementation.

Capacity building

From 10 to 12 December, a national training workshop followed the initiative kickoff meeting focusing on technical capacity building around data collection methods, greenhouse gas emission inventory techniques, and methane mitigation strategies. Participants used standardized questionnaires, analyzed methane and other greenhouse gas emissions, and discussed country-specific climate-smart livestock practices. This training helped Central African Republic prepare its biennial transparency report and integrate livestock-related mitigation and adaptation in its new NDC.