Opinion: Stop pointing the ‘methane finger’ at farmers
© Savo-Ilic/Adobe Stock Many livestock farmers feel as if they are being made scapegoats for the global warming crisis.
More than a decade ago, as an intern in Oxfam’s education team, I felt slightly uncomfortable about being the only meat-eater in the office, let alone dating a dairy farmer.
They told me sagely: “Wouldn’t it be better to get rid of all the cows and plant trees? Think of how much carbon you could sequester.”
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If I felt awkward then, today things would surely be 10 times worse. It feels like everywhere you look and listen, someone is screaming about agricultural methane emissions and how we must all transition to lab-grown meat to save the planet.
Recently, a Guardian headline revealed a shocking new story about rising methane levels and, for once, it didn’t centre on cow burps.
“1,000 super-emitting methane leaks risk triggering climate tipping points,” the headline claimed.
It turns out that “super-emitter’”sites exist around the globe, pumping methane into the atmosphere, mostly from oil and gas production.
The worst leak in 2022 was equivalent to 67m running cars, or the hourly national emissions of France.
The article also states that there has been a surge in methane emissions since 2007 – years in which the global cattle population has remained static, and that tackling these leaks is the fastest and cheapest way to slash methane emissions.
In most cases, plugging the leaks would pay for itself as the captured gas could be sold. On the other hand, only 30% of emissions from cattle could be removed with no net cost.
While leaks on this scale are going unchecked, it seems incomprehensible that we can point the finger at farmers with a straight face.
Our cows may produce methane, but they also feed a growing population, enhance the soil and sequester carbon.
These leaks are 100% waste – the by-product of a fossil fuel industry that is itself the root cause of climate change, yet has failed to use its vast profits to tackle the pollution it creates.
No free pass for farmers
Does all this mean farmers should get a free pass in the journey to net zero? Of course not.
All industries must play their part and, thankfully, most measures that reduce the carbon footprint of milk and meat also result in better efficiency and, ultimately, a more profitable, resilient business.
The industry is already showing leadership in this area. The NFU’s net zero by 2040 policy and Dairy UK’s Dairy Roadmap are two prominent examples.
More and more milk buyers are implementing carbon auditing and other environmental measures.
The AHDB has recently appointed respected farmer and policy expert John Gilliland to develop a new environmental strategy for the organisation.
Contrary to how the media is portraying it, things are moving in the right direction.
While the Guardian story is by no means good news or a reason for farmers to gloat, it is welcome to see it stated publicly that our cows are not the only cause of methane emissions.
I’d like to think that if I met up with my old colleagues from Oxfam I could tell them a positive story about farming in the UK and our contribution to meeting the country’s climate targets.
Perhaps I’d even persuade them to enjoy some local, grass-fed beef.