Methane production and estimation from livestock husbandry: A mechanistic understanding and emerging mitigation options

Abstract

Globally, livestock is an important contributor to methane (CH4) emissions. This paper reviewed the various CH4 measurement and estimation techniques and mitigation approaches for the livestock sector. Two approaches for enteric livestock CH4 emission estimation are the top-down and bottom-up. The combination of both could further improve our understanding of enteric CH4 emission and possible mitigation measures. We discuss three mitigation approaches: reducing emissions, avoiding emissions, and enhancing the removal of emissions from livestock. Dietary management, livestock management, and breeding management are viable reducing emissions pathways. Dietary manipulation is easily applicable and can bring an immediate response. Economic incentive policies can help the livestock farmers to opt for diet, breeding, and livestock management mitigation approaches. Carbon pricing creates a better option to achieve reduction targets in a given period. A combination of carbon pricing, feeding management, breeding management, and livestock management is more feasible and sustainable CH4 emissions mitigation strategy rather than a single approach