Comment on ‘National temperature neutrality, agricultural methane and climate policy: reinforcing inequality in the global food system’

Abstract The correct formulation of climate policy targets in countries with a high share of agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions is contested. A recent article in ERL argues that 2050 Net Zero (NZ) GHG targets using GWP100 equivalents is the appropriate national target, irrespective of emissions profile, and despite the well-documented physical science deficiencies of this metric for methane. This target would lead to a radical reduction in ruminant agriculture in countries such as Ireland or New Zealand, an impact that the authors welcome on global equity grounds. In this comment, technical counter-arguments in favour of a temperature neutrality approach are outlined. It is pointed out, through explicit calculation, that achieving GWP100 NZ is not necessary for Ireland to align with EU and Paris Agreement temperature goals. At the same time, a temperature-neutral approach lowers the societal burden of climate policy, which is a legitimate concern for domestic policymakers.