Canada's Environment Minister announcing a draft protocol focusing on reducing enteric methane emissions from beef cattle

This week during the COP 28 meetings Canada's Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the publication of its fourth draft protocol on reducing enteric methane emissions (REME) from beef cattle operations.

Environment and Climate Change Canada issued a press release outlining the basics of the REME Protocol encouraging producers to make changes that would reduce the methane released when cattle burp.

The protocol suggests producers could look at improving animal diets, management, and other strategies that support more efficient animal growth. 

The move would also generate offset credits that producers could then sell with each credit representing one tonne of emission reductions. 

Those credits can be sold to facilities that will use them to meet emissions reduction obligations, or to other businesses to meet their low-carbon economy commitments. 

Guilbeault says Canadian farmers have become frontline champions for climate action by harnessing the power of sustainable agriculture.

"The newest draft protocol under Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System not only addresses agricultural greenhouse gases, but will provide a financial benefit for Canadian farmers. This is an opportunity for farmers to implement practical solutions to reduce agricultural methane emissions, generate revenue, and harvest a greener future for all.”