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From Evidence to Action: Why Methane Has Become a Priority in Global Livestock

Updated: Sep 26

Why has methane become the "gas of the moment" in climate policy? UC Davis' State of the Science Summit provided clear answers. In this article, ESGpec connects this evidence to the Brazilian reality, showing where we are, what's missing, and why acting now is strategic.

Stare of the science

As the world seeks effective solutions to curb global warming, one gas is quietly gaining prominence in climate strategies: methane. With a warming potential 28 times greater than that of carbon dioxide (GWP100), and even more intense effects on short timescales (GWP20), it accounts for about half of the increase in average temperature since the Industrial Revolution. In agriculture, methane emissions are primarily related to animals (enteric fermentation) and manure, depending on the management applied. Reducing these emissions is one of the fastest and most cost-effective ways to slow climate change in the short term.


What science already knows is clear: there are several solutions available to mitigate methane emissions. Some are ready for adoption, others are still in development. Among the most promising are feed additives, such as 3-NOP and red algae of the genus Asparagopsis , which can significantly reduce methane production in the rumen. There are also advances in the genetic selection of cattle with lower emissions per liter of milk or kilogram of meat, nutritional interventions with tannins and essential oils, the use of vaccines, and manure management techniques that include composting and biodigesters.


Meanwhile, countries like New Zealand, Denmark, and the United States have been developing robust policies on the topic. California, for example, is already reaping concrete results through its legal target of reducing methane emissions by 40% by 2030, compared to 2013, as part of SB 1383. The state has invested over $500 million in digesters, alternative practices, and monitoring tools. The results include the installation of over 140 biodigesters, clean energy generation, and a cumulative reduction of over 30% in emissions from the dairy sector.


Despite the advances, experts warn of a critical gap between the generation of scientific knowledge and its application in the field. The main obstacles include the regulation of new technologies, adaptation to different production systems (particularly pasture-based systems), and access to financing. The large-scale implementation of technologies such as digesters or additives still faces technical, logistical, and economic challenges.


In Brazil, dairy farming has unique potential to lead this regenerative agenda. With a predominance of pasture-based systems, broad forage diversity, and soil with carbon sequestration capacity, the country can adapt global solutions and develop its own approaches. Initiatives like PEC Calc, which allows for free calculations of dairy farms' carbon footprints based on scientific methodologies, make this process accessible. Practices such as rotational grazing, the use of legumes, integrated crop-livestock management (ICLF), and regenerative management align perfectly with the challenge of reducing methane while simultaneously improving soil, productivity, and animal welfare.


Rather than waiting for major technological revolutions, Brazil can move forward with already available solutions, adapted to its specific needs, and integrated into programs that combine development, technical assistance, and reliable certifications.



📚 About the source


This article was developed based on technical content presented during the international State of the Science Summit: Reducing Methane from Animal Agriculture , hosted by the University of California, Davis. The meeting brought together researchers, policymakers, industry representatives, and producers to discuss scientific and practical advances in methane mitigation in agriculture.




This article was written based on the debates and presentations from the international State of the Science Summit , the official technical report published by UC Davis, and supplementary documents adapted by the ESGpec team for the Brazilian context. Our goal is to translate cutting-edge science into viable pathways for tropical dairy farming.


Want to understand why methane has become the "hot gas" in climate policy and what this means for dairy farming? This eBook translates the key findings from UC Davis' State of the Science Summit into real-world realities, clearly explaining how methane is generated, how it can be reduced, and why measuring it is becoming strategic for producers, technicians, and agricultural organizations. Click here to access the free eBook!

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