Comparing methods to measure methane emissions from sheep
- From
-
Published on
14.10.24
- Impact Area
-
Funders
EU Commission, Germany

Ruminant livestock produce enteric methane in their multi-chambered stomachs when they digest plant matter.
Most methane is released through belching—contrary to a common misconception, only about 5% of livestock methane is produced through flatulence.
Methane is a potent greenhouse gas (GHG) which significantly contributes to climate change.
However, a recent survey in Ethiopia conducted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) Mazingira Centre has highlighted a significant problem—different GHG measurement models are producing different values, leaving researchers uncertain as to which model is most accurate.
Researchers must understand the discrepancies between the models to make recommendations to policymakers for more accurate national GHG inventory accounting, a key factor in formulating effective mitigation strategies.
Photo: A farmer leads his sheep and goats to market in Menz, Ethiopia (ILRI/Zerihun Sewunet)
Related news
-
Advancing Togo's National Soil Information System for Sustainable Agriculture
Sehlule Muzata23.07.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
-
Nutrition, health & food security
Lomé hosted a three-day workshop to advance and promote Togo's Soil Information System (SIS), known…
Read more -
-
Regional Hub for Fertilizer and Soil Health using data science for nutrition recommendations to boost food productivity in West Africa
Sehlule Muzata21.07.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
Nairobi, 21 July 2025 (IITA) - The International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IITA) is deployi…
Read more -
-
Soils to Stories: Embedding field insights in research data stewardship
The Alliance of Bioversity International and the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT)16.07.25-
Climate adaptation & mitigation
Research does not begin in boardrooms or libraries. It often starts in the field with…
Read more -