New research from United Kingdom revealed that methane emissions from slurry deposits on dairy farms could be up to five times higher than official statistics report, while highlighting the great potential of transforming these emissions into a renewable energy source.
The study UK shows that, if captured and converted into biogas, the methane emitted could be worth over £400 million (around €477 million at current exchange rates) per year to the dairy sector in terms of fuel cost savings, equivalent to approximately £52,500 (approximately €62,720 at current exchange rates) for an average-sized dairy farm.
There technology to capture methane already exists and, if implemented on a large scale in EU dairy farms, converting methane to biofuel could reduce emissions equivalent to about 5.8% of the remaining global temperature rise budgetif the objective is to keep the increase below 1.5°C.
Conducted by the University of East Anglia (UEA) and the International Fugitive Emissions Abatement Association (IFEAA), the research is based on measurements taken on two dairy farms in Cornwall, England. Together with a growing body of international field research, it suggests that ‘Tier 2’ calculations, used by countries to report their emissions annually to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), they may not be reliable.
Current national inventories of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions report that enteric emissions – those coming directly from animals’ digestive systems – are three to nine times higher than those from manure management, including slurry storage and distribution .
However, the results, published in the journal Environmental Research: Food Systems and in a document from the IFEAA Net Zero Methane Hub published today, suggest that the balance between enteric emissions and those from manure management could be much closer to a 50:50 ratio; the authors also call on researchers and political leaders to focus more on emissions from manure management.
Official estimates and their problems
The Prof. Neil Warddel Tyndall Center for Climate Change Research at the UEA, stated: “Standard international methodology appears to underestimate methane emissions from slurry storage.”
“Fortunately, we have the technology to turn this problem into a business opportunity for farmers, who could reduce their energy bills and become energy independent if they capture and use methane as fuel.,” said Professor Ward, who then added: “If emissions from manure management have been significantly underestimated, this not only means that official estimates are imprecise, but also that priorities regarding resolution options [di questa problematica] could be distorted.”
Professor Ward therefore concludes by saying that: “This research therefore represents an urgent call to action and further studies to better understand methane emissions resulting from manure management.“
The measurements carried out by the researchers
The researchers analyzed emissions measurements from slurry lakes on the two farms during 2022-2023. The lakes were covered with airtight sheets and the methane was captured.
They found that sewage lakes produce much more methane than suggested by official estimates, such as those based on methods developed by the IPCC.
The actual emissions from farms were 145 kg per cow per year and 198 kg per cow per year, respectively. these values are four or five times higher than the current official figure of 38kg per cow reported in the UK National Inventory.
The resulting recommendations for government include prioritizing research and development, increasing subsidies for slurry storage caps, and extending such financial incentives to associated gas processing equipment.
The Prof Penny AtkinsCEO of IFEAA, said: “The technology to capture, treat and use the methane that currently escapes into the atmosphere and contributes to the accumulation of greenhouse gases exists, and appears economically promising, especially if an incentive framework for investment in agricultural holdings is implemented, supported by a adequate regulation.
Prof. Atkins then pointed out that “The cumulative contribution of methane from manure management on dairy farms is significant and this data shows that we must act now to reduce emissions.”
The researchers also suggest streamlining planning and permitting processes, as well as providing tax relief for supply chain investments in methane recovery and use, such as investments by milk processors in supplier companies.
George Eusticeformer Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs and president of IFEAA, added: “Methane is a potent, short-lived greenhouse gas, and reducing its emissions is critical to the path to Net Zero and limiting the rise in global temperatures to 1.5 degrees. The bad news is that agricultural emissions are higher than previously thought, but the good news is that this methane can easily be captured and used as an alternative to fossil fuelscreating an additional source of income for agricultural companies.”
The study “Estimating methane emissions from manure: a suitable case for treatment?” is published in Environmental Research, Food Systems.
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