By Valerie Volcovici

WASHINGTON, (Reuters) – Satellites detected methane from California’s feedlots. This marks the first time that methane from livestock – a key component of agricultural methane — could be measured remotely from space.

GHGSat, an environmental data company, analyzed satellite data and identified the source of methane in a feedlot located in California’s agricultural Joaquin Valley. This was done in February.

This is significant according to GHGSat as agricultural methane emission are difficult to measure. Therefore, accurate measurements are required in order to determine enforceable reduction goals for beef production.

GHGSat estimated that the single feedlot’s methane level would produce 5,116 tonnes of methane emissions if maintained for a year. It stated that if the methane was captured it would be able to power more than 15,000 homes. 

  Agriculture contributes 9.6% to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, according to Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and about 36% of methane emissions, mostly from livestock.

Last year, Biden’s administration revealed its plans to reduce methane emissions coming from the U.S.

The EPA released its first guidelines to reduce methane emissions from oil and gas. These rules require that companies detect methane leaks and fix them. Agriculture Department launched a voluntary incentive program to farmers.

More than 100 countries committed to cutting methane emissions 30% by 2030 and to stop and reverse deforestation. According to U.N. Food Agency, 44% of methane gas emissions from man would be caused by livestock.

Many methods are currently being investigated to decrease livestock methane emissions, such as adding seaweed to the diets of cattle.

GHGSat submits its data for the United Nations International Methane Emissions Observatory (UNIMO) program.