Since 2024, SLU researchers are providing scientific advice to the World Bank through their platform The Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development (CH4D). CH4D aims to support low-and middle-income countries in the ‘methane triple-wins’ of decreasing emissions, enhancing resilience, and empowering livelihoods.
SLU, as a scientific technical partner to the platform, provides scientific advice on evidence-based and sustainable solutions to methane reduction in the agri-food and waste sectors, especially on livestock, waste management, biogas and rice production. The scientific advice has been in form of advisory meetings with the different country teams, written feedback on documents or regarding specific questions, as well as two masterclasses, one with focus on biogas and one with focus on livestock.
The first masterclass, held on 29 October 2024, focused on biogas and was led by Professor Anna Schnürer, Department of Molecular Sciences. With 148 attendees from more than 35 countries, the masterclass explored the potential for biogas as a measure to decrease methane reduction and at the same time contributing as an energy source and improving livelihoods. Topics included methods for assessing biogas potential over time, with focus on organic municipal waste and manure.
The changing gas composition resulting from different waste fractions and the role of manure management in biogas production was addressed and strategies for optimising gas production, collection and utilisation was also discussed. Examples of cost-effective technologies and good practices to implement sustainable biogas solutions with low operational and maintenance costs were presented.
“The collaboration with the World Bank presents excellent opportunities for outreach and for translating knowledge into action. With decades of experience in the biogas sector in Sweden, I am excited to share this expertise with countries now adopting this technology for climate mitigation.” says Anna Schnürer.
After the masterclass, the team working in India and Pakistan have had a follow-up meeting with Anna Schnürer to discuss further details in their specific project.
“Collaboration with SLU has proved instrumental for rapid implementation of activities supported by The Global Methane Reduction Platform for Development, a World Bank initiative, specifically regarding the production of biogas in India and Pakistan. SLU provided expert advice on state-of-the-art technologies for waste-to-biogas, including critical Do's and Don'ts. This support helped frame the scope of pre-operational studies and inform our clients on technology selection and operational challenges.” says Thierry Martin, Senior Urban Development Specialist at the World Bank.
The second masterclass, with focus on livestock, took place on 16 January 16, 2025, and attracted 127 participants from 40 countries. Professor Renée Båge, Department of Clinical Sciences, and Ass. prof. Rebecca Danielsson, Department of Applied Animal Science and Welfare, highlighted the critical role of sustainable livestock management in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, while at the same time increasing income and resilience in livestock production.
The session linked healthy livestock with methane mitigation, showcasing the importance of basic, everyday practices keeping the animals fertile and productive over many years. Technologies and strategies to improve resilience and income in livestock systems were also addressed as well as practical management and feeding strategies to reduce methane emissions from ruminants.
This masterclass was also followed up by an online meeting between Renée Båge and Ana Cristina Canales Gomez, Senior Livestock Specialist at the World Bank to exchange experience and explore possible future collaborations.
SLU researchers has also contributed with feedback to the World Bank guidelines for Measurement, Reporting and Verification systems (MRV) on greenhouse gas emissions calculations for livestock.
“It has been a pleasure working with the SLU researchers, who have brought their rigorous scientific expertise to bear in identifying practical solutions for mitigating livestock GHG emissions. They have also made invaluable contributions to improve our MRV guidance for livestock sector projects through their timely and comprehensive expert reviews. I look forward to further fruitful collaboration.” says Benjamin Byron Henderson, Livestock & environment specialist at the World Bank.
Through these contacts and sessions, SLU’s knowledge and experience are applied in practical projects around the world.