Methane solutions for African livestock systems: Mazingira research highlighted at the Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024

ILRI senior scientist and Mazingira Centre team leader Claudia Arndt, was invited to join the Climate and Clean Air Conference (CCAC) annual conference in February 2024, where she presented recent research and joined discussions about this important and timely topic during the session, 'Raising farmer voices: Advancing methane mitigation in African livestock systems'.    

The session focused on practical solutions to reduce methane emissions while supporting the livelihoods of African farmers. It brought together experts, researchers, policymakers and farmers to discuss the importance of sustainable and resilient livestock practices in mitigating climate change.  

Balancing methane reduction with livestock productivity  

Methane is a potent greenhouse gas, with a much higher global warming potential than carbon dioxide. Livestock are significant contributors to methane emissions. In low- and middle-income countries, methane emissions in livestock can be amplified in relation to their productivity.  

Arndt’s presentation emphasized this delicate balance. She outlined key strategies for reducing methane emissions in African livestock systems, focusing on smallholder mixed-crop systems and pastoral systems, most common across the continent. Using data from Mazingira Centre’s state-of-the-art equipment, she highlighted the relationship between animal productivity and emission intensity. By improving livestock efficiency through better feed management, health, and breeding strategies, emissions per unit of production can be reduced.  

Arndt emphasized that increasing productivity not only reduces emissions but also enhances farmers’ incomes and food security, an essential win-win solution for climate resilient livestock systems. 

Read the full story at cgiar.org.