The Agricultural Methane Gap: Recommendations for the Global Stocktake

The briefing identifies a significant gap in global efforts to reduce agricultural methane, noting that only 4% of NDCs include specific targets for the sector. It argues that current policies rely too heavily on technical 'end of pipe' solutions like biogas and feed additives, while failing to address systemic issues such as overconsumption of animal protein and the need for dietary shifts. The document highlights 'agricultural exceptionalism' as a barrier in high-livestock producing countries and warns that some nations, such as Aotearoa (New Zealand), are weakening their targets. It recommends that NDCs implement mandatory reduction targets aligned with a 1.5°C trajectory and prioritize sustainable diets and agroecology.

• Agricultural methane is the largest source of global methane emissions but remains significantly under-regulated, with only 4% of NDCs including specific targets for the sector.
• There is a critical gap between current national commitments and the Global Methane Pledge's goal of a 30% reduction by 2030; current NDCs and action plans may only result in an 8% reduction.
• Most countries that include agricultural methane measures focus on technical 'end of pipe' solutions, such as biogas and feed additives, rather than systemic changes to production and consumption.
• The scientific consensus on the necessity of dietary shifts to meet climate targets is largely ignored in national plans; only five of the 28 analysed NDCs and NECPs (Switzerland, Germany, Ireland, Mexico, and Norway) reference shifting diets toward less meat and dairy.
• Some countries are reducing their methane ambitions mid-commitment, with Aotearoa (New Zealand) lowering its national target to 14-24% below 2017 levels by 2050, adopting a 'no additional warming' approach.
• High-livestock producing countries often exhibit 'agricultural exceptionalism,' avoiding mandatory measures to cut methane, which threatens the achievement of the Global Methane Pledge.

APA

Changing Markets Foundation (2026). The Agricultural Methane Gap: Recommendations for the Global Stocktake. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Agricultural-Methane-Gap_Final.pdf

Chicago

Changing Markets Foundation. The Agricultural Methane Gap: Recommendations for the Global Stocktake. 2026. https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Agricultural-Methane-Gap_Final.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |author=Changing Markets Foundation |title=The Agricultural Methane Gap: Recommendations for the Global Stocktake |date=March 2026 |url=https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Agricultural-Methane-Gap_Final.pdf |access-date=23 October 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{changingmarketsfoundation2026agricultural, author = {{Changing Markets Foundation}}, title = {{The Agricultural Methane Gap: Recommendations for the Global Stocktake}}, institution = {Changing Markets Foundation}, year = {2026}, month = mar, url = {https://changingmarkets.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/The-Agricultural-Methane-Gap_Final.pdf}, urldate = {2026-10-23}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }