Advancing methane emissions mitigation in 20 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa

In response to the significant challenges posed by climate change on livelihoods and ecosystems, particularly in the livestock sector, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), is set to host the regional workshop to scale up national climate actions to increase climate resilience and reduce methane emissions in Eastern and Southern Africa. Organized in collaboration with the Africa Climate Action Partnership (AfCAP) and the African Centre for Technology Studies (ACTS), the event will take place from 3 to 5 July in Naivasha, Kenya.

The climate challenge and livestock sector

Climate change is severely affecting the livestock sector across Eastern and Southern Africa, manifesting through rising temperatures, unpredictable rainfall patterns, long droughts, and more frequent extreme weather events. These climatic shifts threaten water and forage availability, disrupt breeding cycles, and increase disease prevalence, directly impacting livestock health and productivity. These impacts affect directly the livelihoods of millions of livestock keepers. Furthermore, the livestock sector significantly contributes to national economies by providing employment and nutrition and serving as a vital source of export revenue. However, livestock contribute to greenhouse gas emissions, primarily methane, which is released through enteric fermentation and manure management systems. Methane is potent greenhouse gas and is also a short-lived climate pollutant, which if reduced, could decrease the current warming.

The workshop's objectives

The FAO's regional workshop aims to support countries in Eastern and Southern Africa in scaling up climate actions through the integration of livestock-related commitments into nationally determined contributions. The workshop will focus on identifying opportunities to address methane emissions while pursuing the national development of the livestock sector in the context of the Global Methane Pledge. This initiative seeks to reduce global methane emissions by at least 30 percent from 2020 levels by 2030. Key objectives of the workshop include:

1. Facilitating the sharing of experiences on integrating livestock into national climate actions.
2. Raising awareness about methane emissions and mitigation options in the context of the Paris Agreement.
3. Sharing innovative technologies and best practices for methane mitigation.
4. Promoting regional collaboration and identifying pathways for scaling up livestock climate actions.
5. Participation and engagement

The workshop will bring together delegates from 20 countries in Eastern and Southern Africa, including Angola, Botswana, Djibouti, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Kenya, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, Rwanda, Somalia, South Africa, South Sudan, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. The event will also involve international organizations such as the African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), and the Climate and Clean Coalition (CCAC).

Anticipated outcomes

The workshop is expected to result in a better understanding of livestock climate actions, with participants identifying opportunities to integrate or enhance these actions within national policies and strategies as well as nationally determined contributions. The event will stock-take existing national climate actions and commitments in the livestock sector, identify challenges and opportunities for their implementation, and share concrete examples for reducing methane emissions. Additionally, the workshop will foster synergies between ongoing initiatives, enhance access to climate finance, and promote regional collaboration.

FAO’s strategic programmes

This workshop directly contributes to the FAO’s Strategic Framework 2022-2031 on promoting sustainable use of ecosystems and combating climate change through efficient, inclusive, resilient, and sustainable agrifood systems. It aligns with the FAO Strategy on Climate Change 2022-2031 and the FAO Science and Innovation Strategy. It supports the Flexible Voluntary Contributions subprogramme aimed at enhancing national climate actions by integrating livestock-specific interventions.