Growing Returns

Selected tag(s): livestock methane

A new normal for Irish dairy: Pioneering sustainable change for Ireland’s climate future

By Justin Zahra / Published: June 9, 2025

Ireland’s lush pastures and deep-rooted agricultural traditions have long made it a global dairy powerhouse. But with agriculture contributing nearly 38% of the country’s greenhouse gas emissions — four times the EU average — there’s no escaping the uncomfortable truth: Ireland’s booming dairy sector must evolve to meet the country’s climate targets.

To respond to this pressing challenge, Environmental Defense Fund Europe (EDF Europe) and EIT Climate-KIC partnered to explore a new vision for sustainable dairy. The goal? To co-create a future-proof model that balances climate action with economic resilience in Ireland’s rural heartlands.

Below, we’ll outline a new roadmap for sustainable dairy. Read More »

Posted in Agriculture / Also tagged ag methane, agriculture, climate change, dairy, dairy methane, European Union, farmers, Ireland, methane, sustainability | Leave a comment

New Report: How high-quality carbon offsets can lower livestock methane emissions

By EDF Staff / Published: September 23, 2024

Authors: Erin Leonard and Maggie Monast

With more than 80 times the warming power of carbon dioxide over the first 20 years after its release, methane is one of the most potent greenhouse gasses. One major contributor to global methane is livestock operations — 32% of methane emissions from human activity come from livestock and animal agriculture.

The good news is that methane’s massive warming potential also creates an opportunity for a big and rapid impact if we can mitigate those emissions. To avoid the worst effects of climate change, we need to rapidly lower livestock methane emissions, a process that requires support and incentives to help farmers and ranchers adopt changes in their businesses.

Posted in Agriculture / Also tagged agricultural methane, agriculture, carbon credit, climate change, farmers, farming, food production, livestock emissions, methane reduction, new report, ranchers, resilience | Comments are closed

Three priorities for a climate-smart farm bill

By Ben Thomas / Published: May 15, 2023

U.S. farmers and ranchers are already living with climate change. For example, they are facing shorter windows to get seeds in the ground and higher temperatures that can dry out soil faster. At the same time, agricultural production is a factor in climate change, contributing more than 10% of U.S. emissions. Congress owes it to farmers and ranchers to write a 2023 farm bill that does three things to advance climate-smart agriculture.

Posted in Agriculture / Also tagged climate resilience, climate-smart agriculture, farm bill | Comments are closed