Low-emission development for Bangladesh’s dairy sector

At the national level, emission intensity (the greenhouse emissions per kg of Fat Protein Corrected Milk (FPCM) produced) is higher in subsistence dairy systems (12 kg CO2-eq / kg FPCM) than in commercial systems (4.8 kg CO2-eq / kg FPCM).

Key drivers of the low productivity and corresponding high emission intensity in Bangladesh’s dairy cattle sector are poor animal nutrition, animal health, genetics, and environmental constraints such as heat stress. The strong correlation between greenhouse gas emissions and milk productivity points to an opportunity for meeting food and nutrition security needs and reducing methane emissions.

The Bangladesh Government has developed several high-level policy initiatives – including Vision 2021 and the related Perspective Plan – setting out economic development objectives. The Vision outlines strategic objectives like universal food security, which means the country needs to be self-sufficient in food production and equitably distribute nutritious food. Achieving food security is also a key objective of the country’s poverty reduction strategy and is the highest risk factor in Bangladesh’s Climate Change Action Plan.

Climate change is expected to severely challenge the country’s ability to achieve its desired rates of economic growth and its food security goals. Bangladesh is a recognized leader in planning for adaptation and has developed a Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan. The country wants to implement mitigation activities that contribute its development goals and include adaptation and sustainable development co-benefits.

Since 2016, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the New Zealand Agricultural Greenhouse Gas Research Centre (NZAGRC), has helped Bangladesh:
   

• Identify and prioritize low-cost strategies to reduce enteric methane emission intensity from ruminant systems using the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model (GLEAM). The tool helped evaluate a broad perspective of opportunities and potential productivity gains and emissions intensity reductions for the beef sector.
• Improve its emissions inventory by better defining emissions intensity reduction targets, and increase understanding of measures to improve productivity, production system efficiency and reproduction systems.
• Mainstream enteric methane emission measures in the World Bank's Bangladesh Livestock Development-based Dairy Revolution and Meat Production Project (DRMPP).