Newly released research is indicating that Methane (CH4) is a much stronger greenhouse gas than has been previously thought. The IPCC currently allocates the warming potential of methane as 21 times that of carbon dioxide, but US scientists released the results of research this week based on which they argue that the warming potential of methane is 33 times that of carbon dioxide. Given that methane is one of the main greenhouse gases arising from agriculture, this finding could have major implications for agriculture in an emissions trading environment. View the rest of the post here

Forget coal fired power stations and fossil fuels, the real culprits causing human-induced climate change are farmed livestock, according to a steadily growing number of reports and commentaries. So-called 'climate change authorities' as diverse as Nicholas Stern and the US-based Worldwatch Institute are increasingly pointing the finger of blame at livestock, and suggesting vegetarianism is the quickest way to save the world.  View the rest of the post here

As anticipated, the serious horse-trading has commenced on the US Senate version of a US Climate Change Bill that would, if successful, see the establishment of an emissions trading scheme in the USA. The horse-trading is part and parcel of gathering the necessary number of votes to progress the legislation and have it passed by the Senate. View the rest of the post here

There seems to be some inconsistency amongst politicians about the possible future role of agriculture in the CPRS. While Ministers acknowledge that the current Kyoto Protocol accounting rules make no sense for Australian agriculture, the Government seems determined to only consider a role for agriculture that is consistent with the current rules, irrespective of the science. View the rest of the post here

The Australian emissions trading legislation (the CPRS Bill) identifies clearly that the main source of offset-generated emission permits (AEUs) that will be available for major emitters who face an emissions liability will be those generated by forestry, and corporate investors are moving quickly to take early advantage of this. View the rest of the post here

The Wentworth Group of Concerned Scientists, an environmental lobby group funded by the Purves Environmental Fund, has released a document suggesting that terrestial carbon sequestration by farmers (meaning planting extra trees and adopting practices to sequester carbon in the soil) could offset up to 25% of Australian greenhouse emissions, if this was recognised as part of the CPRS. View the rest of the post here

The long-awaited Opposition response to the Government's proposed CPRS has been released. Of most interest to farmers is that the response proposes the permanent exclusion of agricultural emissions from coverage under the CPRS. View the rest of the post here

The United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued a regulation to require reporting of greenhouse gas emissions from all sectors of the economy in the United States. The rule applies to fossil fuel suppliers and industrial gas suppliers, direct greenhouse gas emitters and manufacturers of vehicles and engines.   View the rest of the post here

Major emitters are already moving, in anticipation of the Australian Government's emission trading legislation, to secure carbon sink forestry opportunities. Origin Energy kicked off the trend in WA last month, and now media reports suggest that BP has followed suite. View the rest of the post here

While there are many who have high expectations about the forthcoming Copenhagen climate conference (December 7 - 18 in Copenhagen) resulting in agreement about future global climate change policies beyond 2012, there is a growing chorus of experienced commentators saying that a clear outcome is very unlikely. What this might mean for Australian domestic policy decisions is an interesting question, given that so much importance has been placed on 'waiting to see the outcome from Copenhagen'. View the rest of the post here