Ensuring global food security while reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is one of the most significant global challenges for sustainable development. Emissions from ruminants, especially dairy cows and beef cattle, play a central role in this field. According to FAO, livestock supply chains account for 7.1 GT CO2, equivalent to 14.5% of global anthropogenic GHG emissions. Cattle (beef, milk) are currently responsible for about two-thirds of that total, largely due to methane emissions resulting from rumen fermentation. Reducing these emissions has thus become an important goal for climate programmes.

To incentivise farmers and the broader industry to take action, it is pivotal that they can credibly account for lowering their carbon footprint and be recognised accordingly for their contributions to SDG 13: Climate Action.

DSM and Gold Standard are pleased to announce the launch of an innovative methodology under Gold Standard for the Global Goals to quantify reductions of emissions from enteric fermentation. The DSM-funded methodology focuses on the application of feed supplements to reduce methane emissions, authored by TREES Consulting LLC and DSM. After reviews by leading experts in the field during the Gold Standard registration process, the methodology is now available for use in eligible projects seeking emission reduction certification.

In 2019, DSM plans to launch several pilot projects applying this new Gold Standard methodology with its new feed supplement for ruminants that targets a substantial reduction of enteric methane. The feed supplement has been extensively tested at scientific institutions globally with results published in scientific peer-reviewed journals; it typically results in an enteric methane reduction of approximately 30%.

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