A special event dedicated to reducing methane emissions in the agricultural sector was held at the 29th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP29) in Baku. It was organized by the Bureau of Relations and Partnerships of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations in the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan. The theme of the event was "Methane in agriculture: Reducing emissions and improving efficiency."
Methane is a powerful greenhouse gas, whose contribution to global warming, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), is about 0.5°C of the current increase in average global temperature. The agri-food sector produces a significant amount of methane emissions associated with enteric fermentation of ruminants and anaerobic decomposition of organic waste. Understanding these processes and reducing them are becoming key steps to combat climate change and maintain the environmental sustainability of agriculture.
At the event, representatives of ministries from Central Asian countries and international organizations discussed advanced methods and technologies to reduce methane emissions in crop and livestock production. The focus is on the latest feed additives, manure processing methods and other innovative solutions aimed at improving the environmental situation in the agricultural sector. In addition, the participants reviewed successful international projects and will share experiences on the implementation of cost-effective and environmentally sustainable methods.
The main objectives of the event were to discuss technologies and solutions to reduce methane emissions in agriculture, assess the economic and environmental benefits of introducing innovative methods, develop regional cooperation to solve environmental and sustainable agricultural problems, as well as exchange international experience to adapt effective measures in Central Asia and other regions.
Vice Minister of Agriculture of the Republic of Kazakhstan Yermek Kenzhehanuly noted that Kazakhstan is striving to reduce methane emissions within the framework of its national climate goals agreed with international agreements such as the Paris Agreement and the Global Methane Initiative. Reducing methane emissions is an important part of a country's strategy to achieve its climate goals.
Marcial Bernou, Senior Natural Resources Specialist at FAO, said that FAO has developed comprehensive tools for monitoring methane emissions, such as the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model, and is promoting practices to reduce methane from livestock, including improved feeding strategies, improved manure management and low-emission trait breeding.
This event has become an important platform for interaction between government, scientific and business communities in Central Asia and beyond.

Source : https://www.gov.kz/memleket/entities/moa/press/news/details/887194