Home / Environment / Brazil's Methane Emissions Surge, Surpassing Italy's Greenhouse Gas Output
Brazil's Methane Emissions Surge, Surpassing Italy's Greenhouse Gas Output
27 Aug
Summary
- Brazil's methane emissions increased 6% from 2020 to 2023
- Beef and dairy cattle production accounted for 14.5 million tons of methane, equivalent to 406 million tons of CO2
- Brazil is the world's fifth-largest emitter of methane, behind China, US, India, and Russia
According to a recent study by the Climate Observatory, Brazil's methane emissions have increased by 6% between 2020 and 2023, reaching the second-highest level on record at 21.1 million tons. This is a concerning development, as methane is a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential 28 times greater than carbon dioxide over a 100-year period.
The report reveals that three-fourths of Brazil's methane emissions, or 14.5 million tons, are directly linked to the country's beef and dairy cattle production. This amount is equivalent to 406 million tons of carbon dioxide, exceeding the total greenhouse gas emissions of Italy in the same year.
Brazil, home to the world's second-largest cattle herd, is the world's fifth-largest emitter of methane, behind China, the United States, India, and Russia. The country is set to host the COP 30 climate conference in Belem, the heart of the Amazon, in November, where the issue of reducing methane emissions is expected to be a key focus.
