Powering Accurate Livestock Emissions Data in the Central African Republic

by Climate and Clean Air Coalition Secretariat (CCAC) - 1 January, 2026

In the Central African Republic, millions of people depend on the livestock sector for their food and livelihoods. However, this sector has also driven a sharp increase in methane emissions—rising by about 112% between 1990 and 2021—largely due to the expansion of the national cattle herd. Cattle account for more than 95% of the country’s enteric methane emissions, which are produced during the digestive process of animals such as cows, sheep, and goats. These emissions represent a significant contribution to the Central African Republic’s greenhouse gas emissions, while also signaling economic inefficiencies for livestock keepers and lost feed energy.

The first step to addressing enteric emissions is to measure them. The Central African Republic, like many other countries, uses Tier 1 to measure methane emissions, an approach from the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines, which relies on general estimates for accounting emissions, estimates that may not reflect local realities. These calculations can be improved by collecting information on feed composition, grazing patterns, herd structure, animal performance, and manure management practices. Equipped with better data and improved emission estimates, ministries and institutions can identify practical options to mitigate methane while enhancing productivity to inform climate policies and livestock development strategies.

COLLECTING ACCURATE DATA ON LIVESTOCK EMISSIONS

Recognizing a gap in its capacity to measure and mitigate livestock emissions, the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development sought support from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) to strengthen data collection, inform climate policy, support its NDC revision, and access climate finance. At the government’s request, the CCAC partnered with FAO and the Ministry to implement the project Deliver methane emission and mitigation assessments for the livestock sector, starting in 2023, upgrading the Central African Republic’s enteric methane measurements from a Tier 1 to a Tier 2 IPCC methodology using country-specific data to calculate emission factors.

The project team developed a data collection matrix aligned with the FAO’s tool for assessing livestock environmental impacts, known as the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM). Data from the Central African Republic’s 2021 National Agricultural Census, supplemented by information from national agencies, underwent rigorous quality control before informing the GLEAM. The end result: the analysis revealed that the Central African Republic’s methane emissions were underestimated due to the lack of recent statistics on animal population. The analysis provided the government with new, accurate, and actionable data—for example, showing that emissions from cows in systems where herders move livestock seasonally in search of pasture and water emit about 56 kilograms of methane per animal each year, while cows that graze more locally with supplemental feeding emit around 64 kilograms per year.

Equipped with the new, accurate data, the project also identified six priority mitigation interventions to address enteric methane in the Central African Republic:

enhancing the quality and nutritional value of the forage that livestock eat — specifically by introducing or cultivating forage species that are more digestible, higher in protein, and better suited to local conditions.;

optimizing herd management by reducing the number of unproductive animals in the herd;

advancing genetic improvement through artificial insemination;

turning manure into valuable resources through composting and biodigestion;

training livestock keepers in good practices in feeding and herd and grazing management;

and integrating mitigation measures into national climate and livestock policies.

These options were validated at a national workshop held in Bangui on June 3-4, 2025 with 32 stakeholders from sectoral ministries, technical institutions, FAO, CCAC, and producer organizations. The workshop validated the national greenhouse gas emissions analysis, built consensus on priority interventions to improve the sustainability of the livestock sector, and produced a national reference document for livestock climate action, which serves as a foundation for tackling methane emissions in the sector.

NEXT STEPS: REPORTING AND FINANCING FOR LIVESTOCK METHANE REDUCTION

With robust data, validated mitigation strategies, and strengthened capacity, the country is well positioned to demonstrate that livestock development and climate action are complementary goals that can be achieved together.

The findings of the technical report will inform the Central African Republic 's NDC revision, ensuring livestock-specific mitigation targets are integrated into climate commitments. The report will also feed into Biennial Transparency Reports under the Paris Agreement's Enhanced Transparency Framework, enabling accurate tracking of emission reductions.

With more accurate data on enteric emissions and agreed-upon priority mitigation interventions, the project’s findings create opportunities to unlock new funding pathways for climate-resilient livestock development and mitigation efforts. By providing a solid economic and environmental evidence base, the analysis supports the development of initiatives aimed at transforming the livestock sector. The government and its partners can now design targeted investment programs to attract climate finance from sources such as the Green Climate Fund, the African Development Bank and the Global Environment Facility.

Powering Accurate Livestock Emissions Data in the Central African Republic

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COLLECTING ACCURATE DATA ON LIVESTOCK EMISSIONS

NEXT STEPS: REPORTING AND FINANCING FOR LIVESTOCK METHANE REDUCTION

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