Generated Summary
This report from Changing Markets examines the critical issue of methane emissions from the livestock sector and their impact on global climate targets. It investigates the current state of action by governments and corporations in addressing these emissions, highlighting a significant “blind spot” in climate policies and commitments. The study focuses on the largest meat and dairy-producing countries and companies, assessing their contributions to methane emissions and their efforts to reduce them. The research employs a mixed-methods approach, including analysis of government reports and corporate climate policies. The scope includes an examination of the role of the livestock sector in contributing to overall methane emissions and the potential for rapid reductions through specific measures.
Key Findings & Statistics
- The livestock sector is identified as the largest contributor to human-induced methane emissions.
- Enteric fermentation and manure management are responsible for over 30% of all anthropogenic methane emissions.
- Methane has a global warming potential that is 86 times greater per mass unit than carbon dioxide on a 20-year timescale.
- The Netherlands reported an increase of 6.5% in livestock-related methane emissions over a five-year period.
- None of the countries assessed has established overall methane reduction targets consistent with the 45% reduction in emissions required by 2030 to keep global warming below 1.5°C.
- Only New Zealand and Uruguay have set methane reduction targets for the livestock sector, but these are weak. New Zealand has a target of only a 10% reduction.
- The study analyzed the reported methane emissions and related policies in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 18 countries with the biggest meat and dairy industries, including the USA, Brazil, and countries in Western Europe.
- Nestlé was the highest-scoring company with a mediocre score of 34.6% for addressing methane emissions. Danone came second, scoring slightly over 30%, while all other companies scored less than 20%.
- Groupe Bigard, the largest European beef processor, came bottom with a total score of 0%.
- None of the 20 companies report methane emissions separately and none of them have meaningful and concrete targets or action plans to specifically reduce methane emissions in their operations and value chains.
- Only seven of the 20 companies have set science-based targets (i.e., in line with what the latest climate science deems necessary to meet the goals of the Paris Agreement) to reduce their overall GHG emissions.
- Only three companies (Nestlé, Danone, and Dairy Farmers of America) set targets that include scope 3 emissions.
Other Important Findings
- The report highlights that both countries and companies that are among the biggest methane emitters ignore the potential of rapidly reducing methane emissions to stay below 1.5°C of global heating.
- The analysis of NDCs reveals that governments have yet to grasp the importance of radical methane reduction measures in the meat and dairy industries.
- The report emphasizes the “methane emergency” and the opportunity to use methane emission reductions as a crucial stopgap measure.
- The vast majority of countries cover agriculture in their NDCs, but they lack concrete measures and action plans to transform food production and consumption.
- Most of the largest corporate emitters of methane are oblivious to the problem of methane emissions and their responsibility to address it.
- The study underscores the need to make the Global Methane Pledge legally binding and to foreground methane reductions through decreased demand for animal products.
Limitations Noted in the Document
- The report’s analysis is based on the reported methane emissions and related policies in the Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) of 18 countries.
- The assessment of corporate climate policies relies on publicly available information and company disclosures, which may not fully capture all actions and commitments.
- The study focuses on the largest meat and dairy companies, potentially overlooking the contributions of other players in the livestock sector.
- The report notes that the reliance on self-reported data from companies can be a limitation in accurately assessing methane emissions reduction efforts.
- The research does not delve into the specific challenges and barriers faced by governments and companies in implementing methane reduction measures.
Conclusion
The report concludes that the livestock sector’s methane emissions are a critical blind spot in climate policies, threatening global efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C. It underscores the urgent need for governments and companies to take decisive action to reduce these emissions. Key findings reveal that many major meat and dairy producers and their respective countries are failing to set ambitious targets and implement effective measures. The authors emphasize the importance of making the Global Methane Pledge legally binding and the need for countries to develop national action plans with binding policies for consumption. The study suggests that a shift towards diets containing less meat and dairy, alongside support for plant-based protein, is essential. Specific regulations for companies, including science-based targets and measures to reduce livestock production, are also recommended. The research highlights the critical role of the agriculture sector in global methane emissions and underscores the urgency of implementing comprehensive and effective strategies to mitigate these emissions. The report calls for urgent and meaningful action to reduce methane emissions from livestock. The report calls for urgent and meaningful action to reduce methane emissions from livestock and highlights that to limit global warming to 1.5°C methane emissions must be reduced by 45% this decade. This report serves as a call to action, urging stakeholders to recognize the urgency of the “methane emergency” and to prioritize the reduction of methane emissions from livestock to achieve global climate goals.