How California is Creating a Pathway to Reduce Dairy Methane

As highlighted in the Global Methane Pledge, reducing methane emissions has been identified as a core strategy and the best short-term solution against atmospheric warming. Well before the release of the United Nations Environmental Program’s Global Methane Assessment in 2021, California had set aggressive targets for reducing methane 40% below 2013 levels by 2030 with the passing of SB 1383 in 2016. All methane sources including those from the dairy and other livestock industries are required to reduce emissions. Dairy comprises approximately 45% and other livestock make up 10% of the total anthropogenic annual methane emitted in California. This analysis focuses on California’s efforts to reduce dairy methane emissions and the progress it has made toward the target over the past 7+ years. The California dairy industry is on track to achieve these emission reduction targets based on falling cow numbers, constructing anaerobic digesters and manure management infrastructure, and the potential to implement feed additives for enteric methane reduction. Looking into the future, this case study highlights the additional methane emission reduction efforts that are underway that will enable the California dairy industry to achieve its full contribution toward the 40% reduction goal by 2030.