Practical Paths Towards Quantifying And Mitigating Agricultural Methane Emissions
Proceedings of the Royal Society A
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This global review examines measurement and mitigation strategies for agricultural methane. It evaluates top-down techniques (UAV, laser spectroscopy, isotopes) and bottom-up approaches (inventory and modeling). Sources like enteric fermentation, manure, rice paddies, and food waste are ranked by mitigation potential. African regions are analyzed for infrastructure gaps and emission intensity. Advanced isotopic tracing and mass balance methods offer more reliable and scalable emissions accounting. The authors call for direct source verification to complement global frameworks like IPCC guidelines and caution against metric-based mitigation policies. They also explore future pathways combining precision livestock farming and community-level interventions.