The Canadian government has announced an incentive program for beef cattle farms to reduce methane emissions from cattle, as reported by Reuters on December 10. The program, named Reducing Enteric Methane Emissions (REME) from Beef Cattle, will incentivize farmers to implement changes that would reduce enteric methane emissions from their beef cattle operations, offering them an opportunity to generate offset credits that they can sell. Specifically, cattle farms are encouraged to reduce enteric methane emissions by improving animal diets, management, and other strategies that support more efficient animal growth. The incentive program follows a CAD12m government investment announced last month in advancing low-cost and scalable practices and technologies that could reduce enteric methane emissions from cattle.

Enteric methane emissions refer to methane generated during cattle’s digestive processes and released into the air when cattle burp. In 2021, agriculture accounted for 31% of Canada’s total methane emissions, mainly contributed by enteric fermentation produced by beef and dairy cattle. Therefore, containing enteric methane emissions is crucial to Canada’s overall emission control target. Canada is among the over 150 countries that signed the 2021 Global Methane Pledge, which commits them to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030 from 2020 levels. Last week, Canada also strengthened its methane emission standards, aiming to cut methane emissions from the oil and gas industry by 75% by 2030 compared to 2012 levels.

Sources:

https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/canada-offer-incentives-cattle-farms-reduce-methane-emissions-2023-12-10/

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-12-11/cop28-boosts-carbon-capture-a-long-shot-fix-for-the-climate

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2023/12/government-of-canada-announces-new-economic-incentive-to-reduce-methane-emissions-from-beef-cattle.html

https://www.canada.ca/en/environment-climate-change/news/2023/12/minister-guilbeault-announces-canadas-draft-methane-regulations-to-support-cleaner-energy-and-climate-action.html