MOO-ving in the right direction: Policies to reduce agricultural methane emissions in British Columbia

British Columbia's (BC) agricultural sector produces greenhouse gases which contribute to climate change, with methane being the primary source of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions in BC. BC's agricultural methane emissions remain largely unregulated. The policy problem this study seeks to address is the complex set of barriers to mitigating methane emissions in BC. A jurisdictional scan guided by a literature review and case studies is conducted to develop an understanding of the underlying problems with the mitigation efforts such as the lack of accurate methane emissions measurement technologies, clear enforcement mechanisms and the ongoing dynamics of the agricultural sector in BC. A multi-criteria analysis is used to explore and assess potential policy options that seek to address these barriers. This study recommends a policy bundle consisting of an Agricultural Methane Emissions Reduction Research and Development Program and an Agricultural Methane Reduction Offset Protocol and Subsidies.