Reducing methane with feed and crop tech: The latest science that could help move the needle

Methane Mitigation for Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)

Methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, second only to CO2 in contributing to global temperature increases over the past two centuries.

Anthropogenic activities, including fossil fuel exploitation, livestock production, agriculture, and waste, have been responsible for more than 60% of global methane emissions over the last 40 years.

In order to limit global warming to 1.5˚C above pre-industrial levels, significant reductions in emissions are required by 2050. A recent study from Canada published in Nature’s Communications Earth & Environment suggests that methane mitigation plays a crucial role in achieving this goal.

The Importance of Early Methane Mitigation

The study emphasizes that global warming can be limited to below 2˚C above pre-industrial levels if global-scale methane mitigation efforts are initiated before 2030. However, the researchers warn that delaying methane mitigation until 2040 or beyond would increase the risk of exceeding the 2˚C warming limit, even if net-zero CO2 emissions are achieved.

Given that agriculture is the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions, there is increasing pressure on the industry to reduce its methane footprint. Rice cultivation and livestock farming, particularly ruminant animals like dairy cows, are major contributors to methane emissions.

Reducing Methane Production with Red Alga

Approximately one-third of all anthropogenic methane emissions come from ruminant livestock. Researchers in Sweden have discovered a potential solution to significantly reduce methane production from manure decomposition by using a red alga called Asparagopsis taxiformis (AT).

AT contains a compound called bromoform, which acts as a methane inhibitor by blocking the process of methane generation. In a study published in Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, the researchers added AT to cows’ faeces and observed a 44% reduction in methane production compared to faeces without AT. Importantly, methane production from cows fed with AT was not lower than those without the alga.

While previous studies have explored the use of red sea plume alga in dairy cows’ diets to reduce enteric methane production, this is the first study to report on the decrease of methane emissions from manure. However, the high iodine content in AT can lead to side effects when added to cow feed, such as increased iodine levels in milk and potential human consumption concerns.

Editing Microbes in the Cow’s Gut with CRISPR

Another approach to methane reduction in the livestock industry involves using the genome-editing tool CRISPR. Researchers at the University of California, Davis, are collaborating with UC Berkeley and UC San Francisco on a project aimed at engineering the gut microbes responsible for methane production in cows.

Methane emitted through cow burps is produced by gas-producing microbes in the gut. The project aims to use CRISPR genome editing and genome-resolved metagenomics to modify these microbes to produce less methane before being released through burps.

The initiative, supported by TED’s Audacious Project, seeks to develop oral treatments for calves that can intervene in their microbial systems at an early stage and reduce methane emissions throughout their lifetimes. While this dream is currently hypothetical, early studies show promise for its potential global implementation.

Reducing Methane from Rice Production

Rice cultivation is estimated to contribute to 10% of global methane emissions and up to 33% of Southeast Asia’s emissions. When soil is flooded for rice production, it creates low-oxygen conditions in which methane-producing bacteria thrive.

A recent study published in All Earth suggests that the transition to low-emission rice production systems can be accelerated. By breeding rice varieties that maintain current yields while reducing overall greenhouse gas emissions, it is possible to mitigate methane emissions from rice cultivation.

While higher-yielding hybrids may have higher absolute methane emissions than current varieties, they produce similar methane per grain of rice. This means that by adopting these hybrids, farmers can achieve food security goals without significantly increasing methane emissions per grain of rice compared to lower-yielding varieties.

To develop the next generation of low-emission rice varieties, further research into plant physiology is necessary. Additionally, community buy-in and the potential for certifying emissions reductions should be explored to incentivize farmers to adopt low-emission practices without compromising productivity.

Conclusion

Methane mitigation plays a crucial role in achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and limiting global warming to below 2˚C above pre-industrial levels. Research on reducing methane emissions from livestock and rice production shows promising solutions, such as using red alga to inhibit methane production and editing gut microbes with CRISPR technology. These innovative approaches offer hope for a more sustainable future by addressing the significant contribution of methane to climate change.

SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

SDGs Addressed:

• SDG 13: Climate Action
• SDG 2: Zero Hunger
• SDG 15: Life on Land

Targets Identified:

1. Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
2. Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices
3. Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

Indicators:

• Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning
• Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture
• Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

Analysis:

SDG 13: Climate Action

The article addresses the issue of methane emissions, which contribute to global warming and climate change. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, and reducing its emissions is crucial for climate action.

SDG 2: Zero Hunger

The article discusses the agriculture sector’s contribution to methane emissions, particularly through livestock production. Reducing methane emissions from livestock can contribute to sustainable food production systems and help achieve zero hunger.

SDG 15: Life on Land

The article highlights the impact of methane emissions on the environment, including its contribution to global warming and degradation of natural habitats. Taking action to reduce methane emissions can help protect biodiversity and promote life on land.

Targets:

Target 13.2: Integrate climate change measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article emphasizes the need for global-scale methane mitigation efforts to limit global warming levels. Taking action to reduce methane emissions is essential for achieving this target.

Target 2.4: Ensure sustainable food production systems and implement resilient agricultural practices

The article discusses the role of agriculture, particularly livestock production, in methane emissions. Finding ways to reduce methane production from livestock can contribute to sustainable food production systems.

Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species

The article highlights the impact of methane emissions on the environment, including its contribution to the degradation of natural habitats. Reducing methane emissions can help protect biodiversity and prevent further degradation of natural habitats.

Indicators:

Indicator 13.2.1: Number of countries that have integrated mitigation, adaptation, impact reduction, and early warning measures into national policies, strategies, and planning

The article emphasizes the need for global-scale methane mitigation efforts to limit global warming levels. The indicator can be used to measure progress towards integrating methane mitigation measures into national policies and strategies.

Indicator 2.4.1: Proportion of agricultural area under productive and sustainable agriculture

The article discusses the potential use of red algae to reduce methane emissions from livestock. Implementing sustainable agricultural practices, such as using natural methane inhibitors, can contribute to achieving this indicator.

Indicator 15.5.1: Red List Index

The article highlights the impact of methane emissions on the environment, including its contribution to the degradation of natural habitats. Monitoring the Red List Index can help measure progress towards reducing the degradation of natural habitats and protecting threatened species.

Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

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Source: foodnavigator.com

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