Scientists discuss low-cost solutions to control methane emission through livestock at IIT-Guwahati 

Speaking on the gravity of the issue, ICCSA head Dr J S Sharma said that India is the third largest emitter of methane, behind China and the United States

Top scientists from prestigious institutions across the nation gathered today at the Indian Institute of Technology-Guwahati (IIT-G) for a brainstorming session on agriculture and livestock of “Climate Goals- Technological Roadmap to Net Zero” and discussed practical, low-cost ways to control and reduce methane emissions in the environment.

The session was organised by International Centre for Climate and Sustainability Action Foundation (ICCSA). 

Speaking on the gravity of the issue, ICCSA head Dr J S Sharma said, “India is the third largest emitter of methane, behind China and the United States. According to the Global Methane Assessment report by the United Nations, our methane emissions in 2020 were approximately 36 million metric tons of CO2 equivalent. Which means India’s contribution to global methane emissions is about 6 percent. The emissions from the agriculture sector accounted for about 60 percent.”

Sharma further said that while the country is investing in creating clean energy generation infrastructure, it should deploy a regulatory framework to check methane emission while exploring low cost workable solutions to control methane emissions. “There is a need to bring in mainstream mitigation policies to achieve the goal of Paris Agreement that is vital for a limit of 1.5 degree celsius,” he added.

Meanwhile, the chairman of the All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE), Dr T G Sitharam who was the chief guest of the session said that India has the highest livestock population in the world and most of the livestock managed in and around village. “We must seriously consider village planning where village people can be educated on waste management, sustainable water development and livestock feed and upkeep. It will play a crucial role in achievement of India’s Net Zero goals,” Sitharam added.

He further said that agricultural activities such as rice cultivation and livestock farming are major sources of methane emissions in India. 

Dr Rakesh Kumar Officer on Special Duty at Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) Headquarters, said, “We believe local sources that are rich in minerals, and vitamins if mixed in cattle feed will not only control methane emission but also improve milk productivity and thereby increase the income of dairy farmers.”

Ration balancing/ nutrient optimisation is one of the promising strategies for reducing enteric methane emission and improving sustainability of dairying in smallholder systems. Idea of organising workshops like this in sectors such as Oil & Gas, Transportation, Waste management, Mining, and Agriculture & Livestock, to bring scientists, experts and researchers together to develop and adopt workable solutions with localised inputs,Dr Kumar added.

Head of the Centre for Disaster Management and Research (CDMR), IIT Guwahati, Dr Sudip Mitra, said,“With India setting tight deadlines for climate change goals, methane reduction becomes crucial. Climate smart and regenerative agriculture could be an efficient way to address the issue of methane emission from agriculture. Active research partnership with farmers to address the issue of methane emission management from agriculture sector is the need of the hour.”

The event was attended by senior scientists from Council of Scientific and Industrial Research, Indian Council of Agricultural Research, IIT Guwahati, All India Council for Technical Education, Benaras Hindu University, Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment, National Dairy Development Board, besides others. The experts also discussed ways and means to reduce methane emissions and also eliminate methane from the environment through collaboration. 

ICCSA is a not for profit organisation that is committed to contributing to a better world for people and the planet. 

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