Market-based measures for methane emissions reduction: Challenges and opportunities

The European Parliament Intergroup on Climate Change, Biodiversity and Sustainable Development organized a virtual event on market-based measures for methane emissions reduction. The event presented findings from a recent study on EU Methane Pricing in the Energy Sector, as commissioned by the Environmental Defense Fund, and promoted discussion on the efficiency and effectiveness of incentive-based approaches for delivering on the EU Methane Strategy.

Henning Steinfeld, Chief of FAO’s Livestock Information, Sector Analysis and Policy Branch, spoke on the topic of methane emissions from agri-food systems, and briefed participants on the large share of non-CO2 gas emissions produced by the agricultural sector. “Most of these stem from biological sources and involve microbial activities, including animal manure, ruminants, rice cultivation and open burning,” he explained.

“There are major differences from country to country in terms of the nature of methane emissions in the agricultural sector,” Steinfeld clarified. Similarly, the capacity to reduce methane emissions varies significantly from one producer to another.

Steinfeld also provided in-depth information on FAO’s support to Member States in developing their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), and on the Organization’s work on methane emissions assessment methods.

Livestock is crucial for livelihoods and food security in many lower-income countries.

Read more about FAO’s progress in reducing enteric methane here