Research Progress on Greenhouse Gas Emissions From Livestock in Sub-Saharan Africa Falls Short of National Inventory Ambitions

Abstract

Livestock are an important source of livelihoods in agricultural systems in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), while also being the largest source of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in most African countries. As a consequence, there is a critical need for data on livestock GHG sources and sinks to develop national inventories, as well as conduct baseline measurements and intervention testing to mitigate GHG emissions and meet ambitious national climate goals. Our objective was to review studies on GHG emissions from livestock systems in SSA, as well as soil carbon storage in livestock-dominated systems (i.e., grasslands and rangelands), to evaluate best current data and suggest future research priorities. To this end, we compiled studies from SSA that determined emission factors (EFs) for enteric methane and manure emissions, along with studies on soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks in SSA. We found that there has been limited research on livestock GHG emissions and SOC relative to national ambitions for climate change mitigation in SSA. Enteric methane emission factors (EFs) in low productivity cattle systems may be lower than IPCC Tier 1 default EFs, whereas small ruminants (i.e. sheep and goats) had higher EFs compared to IPCC Tier 1 EFs. Manure EFs were equal to or lower than IPCC Tier 1 EFs for deposited manure (while grazing), manure applied as fertilizer, and manure management. SOC stocks for grasslands and rangelands in SSA show broad agreement with IPCC estimates, but there was a strong geographic bias and many studies did not report soil type, bulk density, or SOC stocks at >30 cm depth. In general, the largest data gaps included information for manure (quantity, quality, management), small ruminants, agropastoral/pastoralist systems, and in general from West Africa. Future research should focus on filling major data gaps on locally appropriate mitigation interventions and improving livestock activity data for developing Tier 2 GHG inventories in SSA. At the science-policy interface, all parties would benefit from enhanced coordination within the research community and between researchers and African governments to improve Tier 2 inventories and harmonize measurement for mitigation in livestock systems in SSA.

Animal Manure as an Alternative Bioenergy Resource in Rural Sub-Saharan Africa: Present Insights, Challenges, and Prospects for Future Advancements

“…The biggest opportunity for the development of biogas technology in rural sub-Sharan Africa is the vast availability of biomass, particularly animal manure [51]. This is because the main economic activity in rural sub-Saharan Africa is farming, with cattle and small stock rearing playing a significant role in sustaining those local economies [52]. Furthermore, farmers tend to house their livestock in kraals during the night, making it easier to accumulate significant amounts of manure in a short period of time [51].…”

Reducing meat consumption in Central Asia through 3D printing of plant-based protein—enhanced alternatives—a mini review

“…By reducing meat consumption, individuals can actively participate in mitigating the significant impact of livestock farming on greenhouse gas emissions and deforestation, ultimately promoting a more sustainable future. (23)(24)(25).…”

Balancing co-benefits and trade-offs between climate change mitigation and adaptation innovations under mixed crop-livestock systems in semi-arid Zimbabwe

“…Furthermore, investments in specific innovations, adaptation and mitigation strategies leading to co-benefits are inclined towards sectors or emission sources where quantification and monitoring of the benefits is relatively easy and where the economic and political risks are low, such as conservation agriculture (FAO 2018). Often the focus is on crop production, notably maize as the predominant crop where assessment methods are advanced, whereas interventions and assessment tools for alternative dryland cereals and legumes, livestock and full farm analyses are not adequately developed (Graham et al 2022). This disadvantages the livestock sub-sector, and small stock species, already increasing in trends, and the resource poor and women depending on, and such as goats.…”