‘Rishi Sunak should set out a clear plan to slash methane emissions’

Burping cows are now the leading cause of UK methane emissions (Image: GETTY)Britain’s environmental record continues to win us friends in an increasingly dangerous world. That reputation is built on action: building clean and secure renewables and phasing out polluting fossil fuels. But the UK has not yet acted decisively to cut emissions of methane, a greenhouse gas that is eighty times more potent than carbon dioxide.Acting now to cut methane emissions would burnish the UK’s global status, increase UK energy security, and help cut pollution that harms the quality of our air. Our new report shows it’s cheap and easy to cut emissions by 43 per cent this decade.The UK has cut its methane emissions over the past few decades – but by accident and not by nearly enough.The fossil fuel industry still wastes vast quantities of methane, whether through leaks or even intentional releases like flaring. Norway banned routine release of methane in 1971, but it’s still common in the UK.The industry has no excuses, since fixing these leaks would be profitable. What’s more, it would increase the UK’s energy security. Methane is the main component of natural gas – the fuel that heats most people’s homes.Capturing rather than wasting the gas would reduce UK imports. Like Norway, the UK should force companies to end this waste, immediately.But the elephant in the room is agriculture. Burping cows are now the leading cause of UK methane emissions. Technology can help reduce these.New feed additives can cut emissions from cows by up to 90 per cent, helping farmers to play their part in reducing emissions and enabling them to compete with farmers in New Zealand and the EU, who are already cutting their emissions.Rishi Sunak has an opportunity to lead the climate agenda yet again. He should set out a clear plan to slash methane emissions and better prepare the UK for the future.