Brazil Methane Emissions Rise 6% Driven by Beef, Dairy Production

Brazil's methane emissions have risen by 6% between 2020 and 2023, reaching 21.1 million tons, its second-highest level ever, with beef and dairy cattle production responsible for three-fourths of these emissions. This sector alone contributed 14.5 million tons of methane, equivalent to 406 million tons of carbon dioxide, exceeding the total greenhouse gas emissions of Italy for the same period. Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times greater than CO2 over a century, making Brazil the world's fifth-largest methane emitter. The increase in emissions is largely due to cattle digestion and waste, highlighting a critical challenge for Brazil as it prepares to host the COP 30 climate conference in Belem. Experts suggest Brazil needs to develop targeted strategies to reduce methane emissions, drawing on examples such as New Zealand's successful reduction efforts in livestock methane. Addressing this issue is vital given methane's substantial contribution to global warming and Brazil's significant role in the global beef market.