Measuring methane emissions from cattle feedlots to improve policies for achieving net zero emissions by 2050

牛肉产业虽然为加拿大的GDP贡献了218亿美元，但却是甲烷（CH4）排放的主要来源。肉牛养殖场排放的温室气体（ghg）中约有60%是以甲烷的形式排放的，甲烷来自动物的肠道发酵和粪便。最近，世界气象组织指出，甲烷是上升最快的温室气体。加拿大制定了一项甲烷战略，旨在到2050年实现净零排放，其中提出了限制畜牧业排放的建议。牛肉行业设定了在未来10年内减少33%温室气体排放的目标。然而，目前缺乏监测大型集约化饲养场大气集区的CH4排放的空间和时间技术。该项目的总体目标是研究监测饲养场甲烷排放的新型机载技术，并利用这些数据制定支持减排的创新政策和经济工具。这项研究将在加拿大最密集的饲养场进行，从卡尔加里延伸到莱斯布里奇。该项目将由麦吉尔大学和阿尔伯塔大学的一个多学科研究小组领导，并与行业合作伙伴GHGSat以及莱斯布里奇的加拿大农业和农业食品研究科学家合作。安装在小型固定翼飞机上的甲烷传感器将由GHGSat每年在饲养场上空飞行三次，以获取CH4浓度图。温室气体卫星排放数据需要基线数据，这些数据将从配备AERIS Technologies MIRA甲烷传感器的无人机获得。将这两类机载数据与地面数据进行比较，为行业监测、审查和核实排放提供了科学依据。计量经济模型和选择实验的创新方法将支持饲养场经营者选择减排技术。改进对甲烷排放的监测将有助于加拿大全国温室气体清单的编制，并指导畜牧业实现减排33%的目标。

The beef industry while contributing $21.8 billion to Canada's GDP, is a major source of methane (CH4) emissions. Approximately 60% of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted from beef farms is in the form of CH4, derived from enteric fermentation by the animal and from manure. Recently the WMO has stated that CH4 is the most rapidly rising GHG. Canada has instituted a Methane Strategy to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in which recommendations are made for curbing emissions in the livestock sector. The beef industry has set a target of reducing GHG emissions by 33% over the next 10 years. However, techniques for monitoring CH4 emissions, spatially and temporally, over large intensive feedlot airsheds are lacking. The overall goal of this project is to investigate new airborne technologies to monitor CH4 emissions from feedlots, and use the data to develop innovative policies and economic instruments that can support emissions reductions. The study will be conducted over the most intensive feedlots in Canada, stretching from Calgary to Lethbridge. The project will be led by a multidisciplinary team of researchers at McGill University and University of Alberta, in conjunction with industry partner, GHGSat, and Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada research scientists in Lethbridge. A methane sensor mounted on a small, fixed wing aircraft will be flown by GHGSat over the feedlots three times per year, to obtain CH4 concentration maps. The GHGSat emissions data requires baseline data which will be obtained from a UAV outfitted with an AERIS Technologies MIRA methane sensor. Comparison of the two types of airborne data with ground data provides a scientific basis for the industry to monitor, review and verify emissions. Innovative approaches to econometric modelling and choice experiments will support feedlot operators in the selection of emission reduction technologies. Improved monitoring of CH4 emissions will contribute to Canada's national inventory of GHGs, as well as guide the livestock industry in achieving its 33% reduction in emissions.