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218亿加元，但也是甲烷（CH4）排放的主要来源。 肉牛养殖场排放的温室气体中约有60%是甲烷，来自动物的肠道发酵和粪肥。最近，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，以在2050年前实现净零排放，其中提出了限制畜牧业排放的建议。牛肉行业制定了在未来10年将温室气体排放量减少33%的目标。然而，缺乏监测CH4排放量的技术，空间和时间，在大型密集饲养场的空气。该项目的总体目标是研究新的空气传播技术，以监测饲养场的甲烷排放，并利用这些数据制定可支持减排的创新政策和经济手段。 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多学科研究人员团队领导，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GHG卫星每年三次飞越饲养场，以获得甲烷浓度图。GHGSat排放数据需要从配备AERIS Technologies MIRA甲烷传感器的无人机获得的基线数据。 将这两类空中数据与地面数据进行比较，为业界监测、审查和核实排放量提供了科学依据。计量经济学建模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的国家温室气体清单，并指导畜牧业实现33%的减排。

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.