Livestock GHG-emissions are a significant contributor to agricultural GHG emissions. Methane emissions from enteric fermentation are responsible for 48% of total agricultural emissions, while methane emissions from manure management account for 17% (EEA 2023). The indirect emissions associated with livestock production are derived from land use change and the high energy consumption required for the manufacture of fertilisers to produce protein feed.

The latest Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding period, which goes from 2023 until 2027, has integrated several funding mechanisms designed to support the implementation of environmental and climate friendly practices through measures such as the eco-schemes and the agri-environmental-climate measures. Despite these positive approaches to reduce the emissions from livestock, the CAP still entails the risk of subsidizing high-emissions livestock production, in particular through coupled income support. This underlines the need for better understanding CAP funding mechanism for effective reduction of livestock emissions.

This project aims to understand which tools within the CAP are available to Member States which could accelerate the reduction of livestock emissions during the next CAP funding period. The analysis will focus on the five Member States Belgium-Flanders, France, Hungary, Spain and Poland.

The outcomes of the project will highlight potential changes that are needed for the next CAP and contribute to discussion on the development of policy measures beyond the existing incentives. As a result, it will consider the paradigm shift needed in the European agricultural sector to achieve the EU’s 2040 climate target.

Ecologic Institute is responsible for the data collection and identification of relevant CAP interventions.