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The world is significantly behind on its global commitments to reduce methane emissions, according to a United Nations assessment.
Methane has approximately 80 times the heat-trapping power of carbon dioxide during the first 20 years after its release into the atmosphere.
Methane emissions from livestock, including cows and sheep, account for approximately 40% of New Zealand's total greenhouse gas emissions.
Fonterra Cooperative Group is offering its farmer suppliers a price premium for milk produced by cows that emit less methane.
Trade agreements between New Zealand and both the United Kingdom and the European Union include requirements for efforts to reduce emissions.
The New Zealand government is funding research to find solutions for reducing methane emissions from livestock in order to achieve its national greenhouse gas reduction targets.
Reducing the size of livestock herds to lower methane output would severely impact New Zealand's economy.
A public-private partnership in New Zealand, co-funded by a government agency, dairy processors, and rural banks, is financing research into methane reduction technologies.
Research projects in New Zealand are investigating vaccines, feed additives, probiotics, and alternative grasses as methods to reduce methane production in livestock.
Ruminant Biotech is developing a capsule that is placed in a cow's stomach to slowly release a compound that suppresses methane production.
New Zealand has breeding programs, such as the Cool Sheep Program, focused on developing livestock that naturally emit less methane.
Corporate customers including Mars Inc. and Nestlé are willing to pay a premium for dairy products with lower emissions.