NAIROBI, Kenya, Oct 6 – Africa is hosting the International Greenhouse Gas and Animal Agriculture Conference (GGAA) for the first time, bringing the world’s leading scientists, policymakers, and industry experts to Nairobi to tackle livestock emissions and food security challenges.
Co-hosted by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and the Norwegian Institute of Bioeconomy Research (NIBIO), the 9th edition of GGAA convenes more than 500 global participants to explore practical ways of reducing greenhouse gas emissions from livestock while improving rural livelihoods and climate resilience.
Africa, which holds one-third of the world’s livestock, contributes significantly to national GDPs and global food supply, yet faces unique constraints in mitigating emissions.
Hosting GGAA in Nairobi marks a shift toward more inclusive, context-specific solutions tailored to smallholder systems in developing economies.
“Low- and middle-income livestock systems have been under-represented in global climate science. GGAA 2025 changes that,” said Dr. Claudia Arndt, Senior Scientist at ILRI.
“We are showcasing African-led research and context-driven innovations that can shape the future of sustainable livestock.”
The conference features research and technologies that can cut livestock emissions by up to 50% through improved animal health, nutrition, genetics, and manure management.
Among the innovations on display are genomic tools for breeding low-methane livestock, real-time methane monitoring through “exhalomics” cow breath analysis, circular manure systems producing renewable energy and organic fertilizer as well as forage and health interventions that raise yields and cut emissions intensity.
ILRI Director General Prof. Appolinaire Djikeng said the event aims to build long-term partnerships that make climate-smart livestock practices affordable and scalable.
“We don’t have to choose between food security and climate mitigation,” he said. “The priority pathway for both is to improve livestock productivity. Farmer-ready solutions are proving it’s possible to achieve both.”
