{"id":50060,"date":"2025-05-09T16:27:33","date_gmt":"2025-05-09T10:57:33","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/prevalentindia.in\/index.php\/2025\/05\/09\/cmai-gdp-convene-to-drive-livestock-sector-reform-through-carbon-markets-and-climate-finance\/"},"modified":"2025-05-09T16:27:33","modified_gmt":"2025-05-09T10:57:33","slug":"cmai-gdp-convene-to-drive-livestock-sector-reform-through-carbon-markets-and-climate-finance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/prevalentindia.in\/index.php\/2025\/05\/09\/cmai-gdp-convene-to-drive-livestock-sector-reform-through-carbon-markets-and-climate-finance\/","title":{"rendered":"CMAI & GDP Convene to Drive Livestock Sector Reform Through Carbon Markets and\u00a0Climate\u00a0Finance"},"content":{"rendered":"
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New Delhi [India], May 9: <\/strong>The Global Dairy Platform (GDP) and the Carbon Markets Association of India (CMAI) in association with AFC India Ltd., convened a high-level dialogue titled \u201cUnlocking the Carbon Market Potential in the Livestock Sector in India\u201d on 7 May in New Delhi to explore the integration of India\u2019s livestock sector into global carbon markets. The event saw participation from Ambassadors, key policymakers, climate finance experts, dairy producers, cooperatives, international standard bodies, and grassroots implementation organisations.\"\"India, the world\u2019s largest dairy economy, represents a unique intersection of opportunity and urgency. The country\u2019s livestock sector contributes significantly to rural livelihoods but is also responsible for more than 60% of national agricultural emissions, particularly from enteric methane and manure management practices. This convening served as a critical milestone in shaping India\u2019s role in the global livestock carbon agenda.<\/p>\n

GDP collaborated with CMAI to harness CMAI\u2019s deep expertise in India\u2019s carbon market landscape and its strong industry and policy linkages, fostering cross-sector collaboration between government, industry, and civil society. CMAI\u2019s deep engagement with India\u2019s evolving carbon market regulations, including its work on the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) and Green Credit Programme (GCP), positions it as a critical enabler for translating global climate priorities into actionable, locally relevant outcomes. This collaboration allows GDP to align its global vision for climate-smart dairy systems with India\u2019s policy and institutional architecture, ensuring that smallholder farmers can meaningfully participate in and benefit from emerging carbon finance opportunities.<\/p>\n

The event was inaugurated by senior representatives from the Government of India, including officials from the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare. Also present were Ambassadors of various countries along with the heads and senior delegates from the National Dairy Development Board (NDDB), AFC India Limited, NABARD, AMUL, and leading Indian carbon market project developers. Stakeholders from carbon finance, MRV (measurement, reporting, and verification), rural development, and research sectors were also represented.<\/p>\n

Highlights<\/strong><\/p>\n

The convening was structured around five technical and policy sessions, each addressing a distinct aspect of livestock sector participation in carbon markets.<\/p>\n

The first session, panel discussion on transforming the livestock sector through carbon markets, examined the regulatory and institutional gaps hindering carbon market entry for livestock. Participants highlighted the absence of livestock-specific methodologies and called for closer alignment between central government policy and carbon market rules.<\/p>\n

The second session, a panel discussion on financing carbon projects in the livestock sector: opportunities and pathways, focused on project development challenges. Speakers discussed the complexity of working with smallholder-dominated systems and emphasised the need for bundled credit models that integrate multiple mitigation activities, such as feed optimisation, improved manure management, and better breeding.<\/p>\n

In the third session, a participatory workshop enabled stakeholders to co-design an India-specific action plan. Emphasis was placed on piloting projects across diverse geographies, building institutional coalitions, and investing in MRV frameworks suited to Indian conditions.<\/p>\n

The fourth session addressed financing constraints. Participants explored models of blended finance, results-based payments, and carbon revenue sharing that could unlock investment for early-stage livestock carbon projects. Opportunities for aligning with India\u2019s domestic Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) were also discussed.<\/p>\n

The concluding of the event was done with a high-level roundtable, synthesised insights from the day and generated consensus on short-term next steps. Participants committed to continued cross-sectoral engagement and to advancing an inclusive approach to carbon revenue generation that benefits smallholder producers.<\/p>\n

Outcomes<\/strong><\/p>\n

The convening produced a number of tangible outcomes and collective commitments:<\/p>\n