Climate Change Strategy in Ethiopia: A Review on GHG Emission Reduction from Dairy Sector

This study examines Ethiopia’s strategies for addressing climate change challenges and the effort for subsistence of dairy farmers across different production systems. Ethiopia’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), initially submitted under the Paris Agreement in 2015, was developed within the framework of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Two other key mechanisms, the Long-Term Low Emission and Climate Resilient Development Strategy (LT-LEDS) and the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) Strategy, were designed to support Ethiopia’s fundamental role in global climate policy. Together, these frameworks aim to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2050. While Ethiopia is committed to mitigating climate change, its efforts to enhance national nutrition and public health through increased milk production also address global concerns. This study analyzes relevant research and international policies to assess the feasibility of achieving both objectives simultaneously. Ethiopia has witnessed a continuous rise in GHG emissions over the past two decades, with the livestock sector, particularly dairy farming, serving as a major contributor to enteric methane emissions. Traditional Ethiopian dairy practices rely on indigenous cattle breeds and conventional feeding systems, leading to large herd populations but very low milk yields. This results in a high Emission Index (EI), underscoring the need for strategic interventions. This study explores potential solutions for reducing EI, evaluates global and Ethiopian policy frameworks, and assesses methods for monitoring and estimating enteric methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions. Additionally, it examines research on emissions from various dairy farm activities in Ethiopia to provide a comprehensive understanding of mitigation strategies