A new global initiative unveiled at Cop29, the Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub, promises to shake up livestock farming in developing countries by equipping farmers with cutting-edge tools to produce more meat, milk, and eggs while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Spearheaded by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the hub aims to address one of agriculture’s most pressing challenges: feeding a growing global population sustainably.
The launch of the hub coincides with Cop29, the United Nations climate conference, which this year is hosted in Baku, Azerbaijan. The summit has brought together representatives from nearly 200 nations to address the escalating climate crisis.
With agriculture accounting for nearly a third of global emissions, discussions have increasingly focused on transforming food systems, including livestock production, to align with climate goals.
Tackling livestock’s climate challenge
Livestock farming is a vital lifeline for millions in the Global South, providing food and income, yet it also contributes significantly to emissions. By 2050, Africa’s population growth is expected to triple the demand for animal-based foods, intensifying the need for climate-smart innovations.
“There is an urgent need to scale sustainable livestock solutions that boost productivity, adapt to climate change, and cut emissions,” said Professor Appolinaire Djikeng, director general of ILRI. “This hub fills a critical gap, enabling small-scale farmers to access tailored tools and approaches for their unique systems.”
What the hub offers
The Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub will serve as a central resource for practical and technical innovations, including:
- Resilient breeds: Genetic tools to develop animals that emit less methane while producing more.
- Low-emission diets: Forages that reduce methane emissions.
- Circular systems: Techniques to optimise waste and maximise resources.
- Data-driven management: Digital tools for herd monitoring and improved breeding.
An example of its work is the Enviro-Cow project, which identifies and promotes dairy cows with both high productivity and low emissions.
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“Lowering emissions from our food systems and ensuring resilience to climate change are at the heart of the 2030 CGIAR strategy that is centred on the transformation of food, water, and land systems in the current climate crisis,” said Dr Ismahane Elouafi, executive managing director of CGIAR.
“The Livestock and Climate Solutions Hub launched by ILRI will further increase the opportunities for many CGIAR centres and global partners to work together with a sharp focus on creating solutions to transition to climate smart livestock systems in LMICs.”
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