Methane From Meat and Dairy: Why Slashing Agricultural Emissions Can’t Wait

The world’s food system is a major driver of the climate crisis, responsible for 21–37% of all greenhouse gas emissions. Animal agriculture is the largest single contributor within that sector, accounting for nearly 20% of humanity’s total emissions. And while all greenhouse gases matter, methane—primarily from livestock—deserves urgent attention.

Methane is far more potent than carbon dioxide, with a warming effect nearly 80 times greater than CO2 over a 20-year period. It also acts quickly: cutting methane emissions now would rapidly slow global warming, giving society a crucial window to transition to a low-carbon future. According to the United Nations, reducing methane by 45% by 2030 could avoid nearly 0.3°C of warming by the 2040s, while also preventing hundreds of thousands of premature deaths, asthma attacks, and crop losses each year.

Livestock farming alone makes up 31% of all human-caused methane emissions—making it the single largest source globally. That’s more than the methane released from oil, gas, coal, or landfills. Five countries—India, Brazil, China, the EU, and the US—top the list of agricultural methane emitters.

It’s clear that addressing methane from meat and dairy is not just an option; it’s a necessity. This isn’t about going vegan—it’s about shifting toward a fairer, more sustainable food system that limits industrial overproduction, supports farmers, and ensures equitable access to nutritious food worldwide.

Tackling methane from animal agriculture is one of the fastest, most effective ways to slow climate change in our lifetimes. For governments, companies, and citizens, the message is simple: the time to act is now. Our future depends on it.