By reducing methane emissions from small-scale farming, a new IFAD initiative will help combat global warming.
With sharp reductions in methane emissions key to keeping global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius, the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) is launching a new initiative to help developing countries lower methane emissions from agricultural and small-scale farming. Announced today at the AIM for Climate Summit, the new program will receive US$3 million in support from the Global Methane Hub and US$ 1 million in support from the US State Department.
Approximately 42 percent of methane emissions come from the agriculture sector, with emissions primarily originating from livestock through enteric fermentation and manure management, flooded rice cultivation and the burning of crop residues. While small-scale farmers contribute far less emissions than large-scale and industrial farming, they can nonetheless make a contribution to mitigation efforts.
“The short atmospheric lifetime of methane means that acting now can rapidly reduce the rate of global warming,” said Juan Carlos Mendoza, Director of the Environment, Climate, Gender and Social Inclusion Division at IFAD. “Reducing methane emissions is a priority and IFAD is investing with partners to make it happen in a way that generates global benefits but also leads to better livelihoods for rural communities.”