Include livestock methane in carbon budgets and climate targets; mandatory livestock methane reporting
Why this action matters
Evidence-groundedLivestock methane emissions account for over 36% of anthropogenic methane emissions globally, making them a significant driver of near-term warming and a critical gap in current carbon budgets and climate targets [Rockström et al., 2023]. Including these emissions in carbon budgets and mandating their reporting would address the underrepresentation of livestock in climate policy, enabling more accurate tracking and mitigation of a major source of greenhouse gases, which is essential for achieving global climate goals and transforming food systems toward sustainability [Scarborough et al., 2023].
Concept connections
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Consequences of this action
Evidence-groundedThe action itself
Including livestock methane in carbon budgets and mandating methane reporting from large producers ensures that methane emissions from agriculture are formally accounted for and monitored, aligning with global climate targets and improving transparency in emissions reporting.
UK implications
In the UK, this action addresses a significant gap in emissions accounting, as agriculture is the largest source of methane, contributing to over 54% of global food system methane emissions, with livestock being the primary source. Including livestock methane in carbon budgets will improve the accuracy of UK emissions inventories and support more effective mitigation strategies.
Global implications
By including livestock methane in national carbon budgets, the UK sets a precedent that may influence other major livestock-producing countries to adopt similar policies, addressing a critical gap in global methane accounting and contributing to the Climate & Clean Air Coalition’s goal of reducing methane emissions by 45% by 2030 to limit global warming.
National policy stance
No dataCouncil positions (27)
Supporting — 9
Mentioned / neutral — 18
Scientific foundation
Domain-level evidence from the peer-reviewed library
Climate Resilience
The biosphere is under significant stress due to methane emissions, with animals raised for food production representing the largest source of anthropogenic methane emissions [Rockström et al., 2023] This methane burden threatens the UK’s Food Transition by exacerbating climate change, which in turn undermines agricultural productivity and food security [Rockström et al., 2023] Mandatory livestock methane reporting and inclusion in carbon budgets can provide a critical leverage point to rapidly reduce emissions and slow global warming [Rockström et al., 2023] The UK’s reliance on agriculture as its largest methane source underscores the urgency of addressing this issue to align with climate resilience goals [Rockström et al., 2023] By targeting methane emissions from livestock, the UK can contribute to global efforts to transform food systems into carbon sinks and enhance biosphere resilience [Rockström et al., 2023]