Paraguay – Support action on sustainable livestock production for tackling methane emissions

Livestock is responsible for 12% of Paraguay’s GDP and the employment of 18% of the economically active population. With over 14 million head of cattle, Paraguay is the 11th beef exporter in the world, and it generated over $1.6 billion dollars in 2023. Cattle production has been increasing over ~10% per year for the last 10 years. 

Paraguay faces the challenge of expanding its herd while simultaneously reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Both the government and various producers' associations emphasize that improving efficiency in herd management can lead to lower GHG emissions, alongside financial and environmental benefits. By implementing more efficient practices, the sector's emissions, which totaled 726.5 kilotons (kt) in 2019, could be significantly reduced. Scaling up the management practices of livestock systems and quantifying the potential emissions reductions from the sector may enable the government to increase its GHG emissions reduction ambitions, NDC. 

This project aims to discuss the role of sustainable livestock production on tackling methane emissions, and the gaps and opportunities the country has to mitigate emissions and to increase livestock productivity. 

By conducting a multistakeholder workshop focused on the improved efficiency and resilience from the dairy and beef sectors, while also reducing their emissions, this project aims to have sectoral buy-in and, thus, foster national commitment on methane. This dialogue will be used to inform a realistic report for sectoral methane mitigation, strengthening Paraguay’s institutional capacity and stakeholder collaboration.  

This project will also provide an important source of input for the livestock sector’s strategy moving forward, incentivizing the Paraguayan government to proactively participate in international negotiations related to methane emissions.