SEIZING THE MOO…MENT

on dairy methane reduction

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a significantly higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide over a 20-year timescale, making its rapid reduction a critical step in addressing climate change. California’s ambitious 40% methane reduction goal by 2030 will not be met without continued investment, particularly in cost-effective but highly underfunded dairy methane reduction programs.

Here’s why climate scientists agree short-term methane reduction from livestock and other sources is so important:

  • Fastest way to slow warming: Methane’s relatively short lifespan in the atmosphere (around 12 years compared to centuries for CO₂) means that cutting its emissions offers the fastest route to slowing the rate of global warming. This provides precious time while transitioning to a cleaner energy economy and tackling the long-term challenge of decarbonization.

  • Reaching climate goals: Achieving the Paris agreement’s target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires substantial reductions in methane emissions, alongside deep cuts in CO₂. Rapid action on methane is essential to stay within this critical temperature threshold.

  • Preventing dangerous feedback loops: Slowing the rate of warming through methane reduction can help prevent or delay dangerous climate feedback loops, such as the melting of ice caps and rising sea levels, which have long-term and irreversible consequences.

  • Reducing fossil fuel use: Replacing diesel in heavy duty trucks with renewable natural gas from dairies dramatically improves air quality.

  • Cost-effective solutions available: Dairy methane reduction projects are highly cost-effective providing significant short-term reductions. Additional funding is now needed to continue implementing these solutions and achieving the state’s significant reduction goals by 2030. Dairy digesters are California’s leading methane reduction program, providing one ton of CO₂e reduction for every $9 invested.

Bottom line… rapidly reducing methane emissions is crucial for achieving near-term climate benefits, safeguarding public health and the environment, setting the world on a more sustainable path towards a 1.5°C limit and ensuring California’s 2030 goals are achieved.