Measures to Reduce Methane Emissions

Source: The post is based on the article “Measures to Reduce Methane Emissions”  published in PIB on 24th July 2023.

What is the News?

The Union Minister of State for Environment, Forest and Climate Change has informed Lok Sabha about the measures the government is taking to reduce methane emissions.

What is the data on India’s methane emissions?

India is a Party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), and its Kyoto Protocol (KP) and the Paris Agreement (PA). 

As a Party to the UNFCCC, India periodically submits its National Communications (NCs) and Biennial Update Reports (BURs) to the UNFCCC which includes national Greenhouse Gas (GHG) inventory containing information on methane emissions. 

As per India’s third Biennial Update Report, India’s methane emissions in 2016 (excluding LULUCF) were 409 million tone CO2e of which, 73.96% was from Agriculture sector, 14.46% from Waste sector, 10.62% from Energy sector and 0.96% was from Industrial Processes and Product Use sector.

What are the measures taken to reduce methane emissions?

National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture(NMSA): It is implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. It involves climate resilient practices including methane reduction practices in rice cultivation. These practices contribute to substantial reduction of methane emissions.

The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) under National Innovations in Climate Resilient Agriculture (NICRA) project has developed several technologies with mitigation potential for methane from rice such as:

–  System for Rice Intensification: This technique has potential to enhance rice yield from 36-49% with about 22-35% less water than conventional transplanted rice;

– Direct Seeded Rice: This system reduces methane emissions as it does not involve raising nurseries, puddling and transplanting. Unlike transplanted paddy cultivation, standing water is not maintained in this system and 

– Crop Diversification Programme: Methane emissions are avoided due to diversion of paddy to alternate crops like pulses, oilseeds, maize, cotton and agro forestry.

Capacity building programmes are conducted through Krishi Vigyan Kendras across the country for creating awareness on climate resilient practices.

The Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) is implementing the National Livestock Mission which includes Breed Improvement and Balanced Rationing. Feeding livestock with a superior quality balanced ration is helping to reduce methane emissions from the livestock.

Government of India promotes green fodder production, silage making, chaff cutting, and total mixed ration under National Livestock Mission with a view to reduce methane emissions from livestock.

Cattle waste utilization is being incentivised through initiatives like ‘The Gobar (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources) –Dhan’ scheme and New National Biogas and Organic Manure Programme.