Scientists from the International Energy Agency (IEA – International Energy Agency) found that agriculture releases three times more methane into the atmosphere than the entire oil sector. The report was published on area companies.
In 2022, the emission of this gas in agriculture reached 142 million tons. Methane is produced during the digestion of cows and other ruminant animals. The danger of methane emissions is that the global warming potential of methane is 30 times greater than carbon dioxide.
A climate agreement was signed at the UN conference in Glasgow in 2021, which includes reducing the methane content in the atmosphere by at least 30% by 2030. To achieve this goal, European Union countries are proposing to introduce emission limits for farms. This is expected to lead to a reduction in the number of animals.
Alternatively, dairy and meat producers can use technology to reduce emissions. For example, special feed additives or technological solutions. However, there is no general solution for all types of farms. Also, many medium and smallholder farmers may not be able to afford them.
The current regulation may also have negative consequences. “Cow gas emissions” taxes will make milk exports more expensive from participating countries. Retailers and consumer goods manufacturers will be forced to look for cheaper suppliers. As a result, countries with even higher methane emissions, such as Saudi Arabia, could be the winners.
If the price of beef and cow’s milk rises and becomes nearly equal to plant-based alternatives, one solution may be to shift the market in favor of less carbon-intensive and more environmentally friendly products, the study’s authors said.