Overview of Public Incentives for Methane Abatement Practices in Brazilian Agriculture

The document analyzes Brazil's public incentives for agricultural methane abatement, noting that while the country is the fifth largest methane emitter globally and agriculture is its primary source, existing policies often lack specific, targeted strategies for methane reduction. It examines instruments like the Ecological Transformation Plan, the Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy, and the Eco Invest programme, while proposing the adoption of the Climate Bonds Agricultural Criteria to better direct capital toward low-carbon farming.

• Brazil is the fifth largest methane emitter globally, with agricultural activities accounting for 72% of the country's total methane emissions. Within the agricultural sector, livestock farming—primarily due to enteric fermentation in cattle—is responsible for 92% of emissions.
• Despite joining the Global Methane Pledge to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 and launching a 'zero-methane programme' in 2022, the latter focuses on waste-to-energy (biogas and biomethane) and does not target agricultural methane reduction.
• Brazil's 2035 climate target aims to reduce net GHG emissions by 59% to 67% compared to 2005 levels, but the current NDC text does not link the promotion of sustainable agricultural models to specific methane abatement actions.
• The Brazilian Sustainable Taxonomy, currently under development, explicitly identifies the use of feed additives to reduce enteric methane in ruminants and the implementation of biodigesters for manure as measures to prevent significant environmental damage.
• The Eco Invest programme, part of the Ecological Transformation Plan, concluded its first auction in November 2024, with nine banks expected to leverage BRL 44.3 billion in sustainable investments; however, it lacks a direct intention to promote methane-specific practices.
• The Climate Bonds Agricultural Criteria, launched in October 2024, provides a technical framework for methane abatement, including measures such as reducing herd sizes by at least 50% on large operations and R&D into meat and dairy alternatives.

APA

Gava, L., & Waquil, L. (2025). Overview of Public Incentives for Methane Abatement Practices in Brazilian Agriculture. Climate Bonds Initiative. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Overview-of-Public-Incentives-for-Methane-Abatement-Practices-in-Brazilian-Agriculture_EN_March-2025.pdf

Chicago

Gava, Leonardo, and Leandro Waquil. Overview of Public Incentives for Methane Abatement Practices in Brazilian Agriculture. Climate Bonds Initiative, 2025. https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Overview-of-Public-Incentives-for-Methane-Abatement-Practices-in-Brazilian-Agriculture_EN_March-2025.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Gava |first1=Leonardo |last2=Waquil |first2=Leandro |title=Overview of Public Incentives for Methane Abatement Practices in Brazilian Agriculture |publisher=Climate Bonds Initiative |date=26 March 2025 |url=https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Overview-of-Public-Incentives-for-Methane-Abatement-Practices-in-Brazilian-Agriculture_EN_March-2025.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{gava2025overview, author = {Gava, Leonardo and Waquil, Leandro}, title = {{Overview of Public Incentives for Methane Abatement Practices in Brazilian Agriculture}}, institution = {Climate Bonds Initiative}, year = {2025}, month = mar, url = {https://www.climatebonds.net/files/documents/publications/Climate-Bonds_Overview-of-Public-Incentives-for-Methane-Abatement-Practices-in-Brazilian-Agriculture_EN_March-2025.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }