NFU urges government to accurately measure methane emissions

The NFU is supporting the implementation of a new global warming measurement metric, GWP*, as an alternative to the existing GWP100.

GWP* (for global warming potential) is used to measure greenhouse gas emissions and their potential impact on the climate. Unlike the existing measures, it takes into account the natural fall of atmospheric methane levels over time as the gas breaks down into carbon dioxide and water vapour.

It is considered by industry to be more accurate than existing measurements for calculating the impact of livestock emissions on the climate.

The existing GWP100 measure is used by the UN Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change to convert methane emissions into a carbon dioxide equivalent. It does not account for the fact methane dissipates in the atmosphere in as little as 10 years, which some academics argue means it overestimates the climate change impact.

See also: Farming emissions: What they are and why they must be tackled

The NFU has called for a more unified approach by government and industry in relation to measuring greenhouse gases and is asking for messaging to consumers to be more consistent.

It also called for the impact of improved genetics and selective breeding to be taken into account when calculating emissions from livestock.

NFU deputy president Tom Bradshaw said: “Urgent action is needed now to improve productivity, conserve the carbon already in our pastures and grasslands, and store more carbon for the good of society.

“Government support is needed in order for farmers to access the capital investment they need to implement interventions to reduce methane and other greenhouse gases.”

Mr Bradshaw said the union would continue to engage with Defra on how methane reductions are recorded, incentivised, and valued, by both public and private markets.