Impact of Economic Growth and Agriculture on Methane Emissions in Bangladesh?

This study focuses on an important greenhouse gas (GHG), methane, which is often overlooked in literature, while carbon dioxide has been analysed widely in previous literature worldwide as a testimony to environmental degradation. Carbon dioxide is considered to be the major GHG, although methane is 32 times more potent as a heat-trapping gas than carbon dioxide, and it holds specific importance in an agrarian economy like Bangladesh because agriculture is a vital source of methane emissions. Using the secondary annual time series dataset for 42 years (1971-2012), this study determines the short-run and long-run factors affecting methane emissions in the case of Bangladesh with an econometric approach of ARDL bounds testing and also tests the Environmental Kuznets Curve (EKC) hypothesis for methane. The study found no evidence of EKC for methane in Bangladesh both in the short run and long run, which means that methane emissions do not have a significant relationship with economic growth. Agricultural land, livestock production index, and fossil fuel energy consumption drive methane emissions in the long run, whereas livestock production determines methane emissions in the short run. This study will help policymakers to take the necessary steps to control methane emissions in Bangladesh. Sustainable agricultural practices and livestock management systems, strong regulatory framework, along with increased awareness and capacity building, can make significant progress in reducing methane emissions in Bangladesh. The government should also focus on research and development initiatives and international cooperation to implement best practices for reducing methane emissions.