PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
The industrialised production of meat and dairy emits ammonia (NH3) and methane (CH4), which cause severe damage to vegetation, ecosystems and health. Ammonia produces ozone (O3) and particulate matter (PM 2.5), while methane emissions are considered a precursor of ground-level ozone. Although the negative impacts of these emissions are widely known and information and good practice are available, the biggest challenge is the lack of implementation and incorporation of knowledge in the legislative process and in practice. Obligations to reduce ammonia emissions are rare and often insufficient, and for methane emissions they are non-existent.
OBJECTIVES
To reduce ammonia and methane emissions from agriculture, the LIFE Air & Agriculture project focused on capacity-building measures (improving the implementation of legislation) and on a change of consumption patterns (reduction of food waste).
The relevant legislative procedures were addressed, such as the implementation of the National Emission Ceilings (NEC) Directive, the reform of the common agricultural policy (CAP) and the Gothenburg Protocol. This was achieved by involving NGOs in legislation processes, spreading awareness among farmer associations for meat and dairy production and other actors in the food sector, and improving the curriculum of vocational training for farmers. The project focused mainly on Germany and France, with forecast replication of actions in at least five other EU countries.
RESULTS
The four project objectives of the project were mostly reached, and encompassed:
I. Raising awareness among farmers associations and the food sector and developing a common position
The agricultural sector was the main stakeholder in the project. It includes agricultural associations in the target countries as well as responsible actors involved in the agricultural training system in Germany. Some delays of progress were caused by low stakeholder participation in the agricultural sector. The project also raised awareness among media and campaigned successfully throughout the implementation period. The round tables with farmers associations had only scarce participation but still led to the production of a position paper that was reviewed and approved by part of the agricultural sector.
II. Improving the involvement of civil society organisations in legislative processes and in the implementation of national air pollution control programmes
The project contributed to the proposal of the new CAP, to the implementation of the NEC directive, the NAPCPs in the different Member States, the PREPA in France, and the revision of the Gothenburg Protocol. Some delays of progress were caused by deferrals of political processes such as the new CAP proposal, the slow finalisation of National Air Pollution Control Programs in EU Member States, and the slow revision of the Gothenburg Protocol. Despite this, significant advancements were achieved in the fields of legislation/legal compliance, by capacity building and awareness raising.
III. Improving the curriculum of agricultural training to inform future farmers about emissions reduction measures and the impacts of ammonia and methane
Changing the content of agricultural training for future farmers and include knowledge about methane and ammonia was a difficult task from the beginning and was not entirely successful in the project. The COVID-19 pandemic made it even more difficult to reach people responsible for delivering such trainings. The project still managed to start cooperation with professors from vocational schools through the involvement and through exchanges at workshops. After the final conference of the project, a guideline document on efficient measures for ammonia and methane reduction in the form of a brochure for agricultural vocational schools was published by the DUH. 12 vocational schools specifically asked to receive the brochure after the conference. The project disseminated 600 brochures (20 to each of 30 schools) to agricultural vocational schools as guidelines for best practices in reducing methane and ammonia. The brochures showcase opportunities for reduction of ammonia and methane and encompass channels that let practitioners report how exactly they have implemented this. The technical monitoring of this component of the project concluded that the efforts have resulted in increased awareness for emission reduction aspects in agricultural education.
IV. Reducing food waste from meat and dairy products along the supply chain to increase overall resource efficiency in food production and reduce absolute emissions of methane and ammonia
Food surplus that goes to waste causes avoidable ammonia and methane emissions. The food sector, which is directly influencing the way food is produced, processed and treated was addressed through various campaigns. The project aimed at involving retailers, food companies and food standardisation bodies to kickstart pilot projects and re-thinking of usual practices, but also to set binding targets and implement measures for implementation. However, the objective of reducing food waste was not achieved. With the implementation of this project, methane emissions from agriculture, a rather ignored side topic in 2017, became well-known through radio, TV, social media and YouTube, national newspapers and international conferences. Much pioneering work has been carried out by the project in informing stakeholders about the relationship between methane and ammonia from livestock farming and meat consumption behaviour on the one hand and climate change, health problems and damaging effects on ecosystems on the other. The petitions and video materials produced will continue to influence people and their decision making in the future.
