May 6, 2020

McKinsey consultancy report outlines ways farms can reduce greenhouse gas emissions

These include breeding cattle that produce lower methane and utilising new technologies such as zero-emission farm machinery, reported Reuters.

The report said farms could more efficiently reduce greenhouse gas emissions, with a reduction of up to 4.6 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide (CO2) annually by 2050 (compared to if nothing was done to reduce emissions) to stop global warming by 1.5 degress Celcius.

The report included 25 measures, such as genetic selection for breeding livestock that produce lower methane. It also suggested the future use of tractors and harvesters that emit zero emissions, which do not exist currently for commercial use.

Methane produced by ruminants account for 8.3 billion tonnes of CO from the 19.9 billion tonnes of CO2 emitted by agriculture, foresty and land use change.

Breeders have already confirmed that they can reduce emissions of methane by 5% per head. New feed additives also cut emissions, according to the report.

Other recommended measures include improved fertilisation methods. Subsidies should be provided to promote the use of sulphate fertiliser that competes with the bacteria that emits methane.

-   Reuters