Time2Graze will use Sentinel-2 satellite data to track pasture biomass and support farmers and land managers to make informed decisions about grazing management, resource allocation, and sustainable land use.
By Lindsey Sloat
LANCASTER, PA, Oct 24 2025 (IPS)
Thousands of years ago, we looked to the stars for guidance — constellations like Taurus and the Pleiades signalled the changing of the seasons and the best times to plant, harvest and move animals.
Today, we may soon turn skyward once again, but this time to satellites that reveal in near-real-time when and where grasses are most nutritious and digestible. Feeding livestock at these peak moments not only boosts growth but also cuts methane, since animals release the most methane during digestion, a process known as enteric fermentation.
Globally, enteric fermentation from livestock accounts for nearly one third of methane emissions generated from human activities. This matters because methane has 86 times the heat-trapping power of CO2 over a 20-year period; yet it breaks down much faster. This means that methane reduction is one of the fastest ways to slow down the rate of global temperature rise.
Smarter grazing is a major opportunity. Farmers already rotate herds so pastures can recover but often rely on guesswork. When cattle graze younger, more digestible grasses, they produce less methane per unit of milk or meat. Yet in many regions, farms capture only 40 to 60 percent of their pasture’s potential. Unlocking this potential would improve productivity and cut emissions.
Two thirds of all agricultural land worldwide is devoted to livestock grazing, so even small efficiency gains can have a big impact. A 10 percent improvement in feed digestibility, for example, can reduce methane emissions per unit of feed or product by 12 to 20 percent.
Closing this pasture productivity gap by optimizing grazing would not just significantly reduce methane emissions, but also improve livestock keepers’ livelihoods, because increases in livestock productivity translate into more milk and more meat per animal.
The newly launched Time2Graze project, funded by the Global Methane Hub and in partnership with Land & Carbon Lab’s Global Pasture Watch research consortium, will apply Sentinel-2 satellite data and modelling to track pasture biomass.
This near-real-time data, combined with rancher observations and digital decision support tools, will provide important information for farmers and land managers, helping them to make informed decisions about grazing management, resource allocation, and sustainable land use.
This new data will offer free, open, up-to-date information that will be available on Google Earth Engine and other platforms to guide when and where animals should graze to consume the most abundant and digestible forage. To ensure usefulness to livestock farming and pastoralism, Time2Graze partners will conduct on-farm trials at more than 100 sites across eight countries in Latin America and Africa.
Alongside other livestock sector advances — improved feed additives, manure management, and animal health and genetics included — digital and data-enabled livestock management is essential to delivering climate solutions at the necessary speed and scale. Within the food system, these advances sit alongside improvements to rice production, reducing food loss and waste, and shifting high-meat diets toward plants.
Livestock management data innovations arrive at a pivotal moment in the development of international policies around methane emissions. More than 150 countries have signed the Global Methane Pledge, committing to cut methane emissions by 30 percent by 2030. Livestock enteric fermentation is the single largest source they must tackle. Likewise, the UN COP28 climate talks’ Emirates Declaration on Sustainable Agriculture and Food Systems and many countries’ climate strategies, or Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), now emphasize methane mitigation and climate-smart agriculture as cornerstones of their strategies.
Yet, climate finance dedicated to global livestock systems languishes at just 0.01 percent of total spend, equivalent to a US$181 billion funding gap, lagging far behind the ambition demonstrated by these international initiatives.
Innovations in satellite-based grassland and forage monitoring are emerging as powerful tools to cut methane while improving productivity. Governments, climate finance institutions, and development banks should prioritize and expand support for these kinds of solutions to accelerate their impact across the livestock sector.
Redirecting a fraction of agricultural subsidies and climate finance toward such efficiency gains could not only unlock rapid, measurable methane reductions, but also additional co-benefits, such as reducing deforestation and ecosystem conversion, safeguarding future food security, and strengthening rural livelihoods. Realizing this potential will depend not only on data, but also on farmer adoption, political will, and the ability to scale solutions across diverse grazing systems.
For generations, the stars helped farmers decide when to move their animals. Today, satellites can do the same, but with far greater precision. With more investment and adoption, these new guides can help agriculture deliver on its climate promises.
Lindsey Sloat, Research Associate, Land & Carbon Lab and World Resources Institute
IPS UN Bureau
Follow @IPSNewsUNBureau
Written by Clare Ferguson and Katarzyna Sochacka.
The October II plenary session featured a formal address by Sergey Tihanovski and Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya, laureates of the 2020 Sakharov Prize, just after the announcement of the award of this year’s prize to imprisoned journalists, Andrzej Poczobut and Mzia Amaglobeli. Members also debated the European Commission’s 2026 work programme and the preparations for the European Council meeting of 23 October 2025. Members held debates, inter alia, on the rule of law in Malta; intimidation of journalists; International Day for the Eradication of Poverty; policing’s central role in the EU’s internal security strategy; allegations of espionage by the Hungarian government; polarisation and repression in Serbia; combating violence against women and girls; and the anniversary of the DANA floods in Spain. Parliament also discussed the need for united support of Ukraine and for a just and durable peace; the use of Russian frozen assets; and ending energy imports from Russia.
Sakharov Price for Freedom of ThoughtSviatlana Tsikhanouskaya and Sergey Tihanovski – recently freed after five years of imprisonment for his political views and his defence of democracy in Belarus – made a formal address to Parliament. The 2020 Sakharov Prize for Freedom of Thought was awarded to the Belarusian democratic opposition, led by Tsikhanouskaya following her husband’s imprisonment. Members debated the current situation in Belarus, where human rights have deteriorated since the fraudulent 2020 presidential elections.
2026 EU budgetParliament debated and adopted amendments to the Council’s position on the draft EU budget for 2026. The EU borrowed heavily to support recovery after the COVID‑19 pandemic, and now needs to finance the repayments for the Next Generation EU instrument. At the same time, funding is urgently needed for the EU’s new competitiveness, research and defence priorities. The Committee on Budgets (BUDG) proposed to increase the 2026 budget for these priorities. The vote sets Parliament’s position for conciliation talks.
Discharge for the 2023 budgetIn its role in ensuring the EU budget is spent according to the rules, Parliament again refused to grant budget discharge for 2023 to the European Council and the Council, criticising the Council’s continued refusal to cooperate. As for the postponed discharge for the EU Asylum Agency (EUAA), Members granted discharge to the agency for its 2023 accounts. while nevertheless noting criticism of its financial and general management and concerns about accountability at the agency
COP30 climate change conference in BrazilIn advance of the COP30 climate change conference in Brazil, Parliament adopted a resolution urging the parties to reaffirm their commitment to limit global warming to 1.5°C and a maximum of 2°C. To maintain this ambition, it recommends more frequent stocktakes. It regretted that the Council failed to agree an EU nationally determined contribution (NDC) before the deadline set by the United Nations.
Statute and funding of European political parties and foundationsMembers adopted a provisional agreement on revising the rules regarding the statute and funding of European political parties and political foundations. Lengthy negotiations resulted in a text that reinforces safeguards against foreign interference and ensures financial stability, improving transparency and visibility.
New GDPR rules for cross-border casesMembers also adopted a provisional agreement on additional procedural rules for treating cross-border enforcement of the EU’s General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR). The text retains the proposed early-scoping exercise to speed consensus between supervisory authorities on cross-border GDPR cases, and new rules on hearing parties to the procedure. To settle issues quickly, an early resolution procedure and a simple cooperation procedure are also introduced.
European forestsMembers voted on Parliament’s position on a proposed forest monitoring law and to renew the standing EU expert group on forests and forestry. Parliament’s ENVI and Agriculture and Rural Development (AGRI) Committees, jointly, proposed to reject the proposed increased monitoring of forests and forestry activity, on the grounds that it duplicates existing systems and would increase red tape. However, the committees supported the continuation of the expert group, but would nevertheless clarify its role.
Driving licences and Union-wide effect of driving disqualificationsTo reduce reckless driving and impunity from disqualification for offences committed in other Member States, Members adopted a provisional agreement on EU-wide enforcement of driving disqualifications. The text aims at disqualifying drivers across the EU for drink-driving, speeding, drug-impaired driving, and conduct causing death or serious injury. The revised Driving Licences Directive would enable digital driving licences and an EU-wide accompanied driving scheme for young drivers. All professional drivers will have to undergo a medical check to obtain or renew a licence.
Soil monitoring and resilienceHealthy soils are the basis of most agricultural production, as well as providing carbon storage, yet EU soils are in poor condition. Parliament approved the agreement reached by the co-legislators on a proposed soil monitoring law that should ensure the good health of this essential element for life in the EU therefore stands. The new law would allow EU countries to support those who work on the land, with flexibility to take account of local conditions. It also addresses contamination, notably pollutants such as pesticides and per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) and requests a public register of contaminated sites within 10 years.
Microplastic pollution from plastic pellet losesMicroplastic pollution has reached much of our environment, from the sea to our own bodies. Parliament approved the agreement reached between the co-legislators on proposed action to halt the loss of plastic pellets that contribute to this pollution, especially at sea. Parliament’s negotiators have succeeded in imposing pictograms and warning statements when handling plastic pellets, and the agreement sets penalties for endangering people’s health.
Opening of trilogue negotiationsA decision to enter into interinstitutional negotiations on phasing out Russian natural gas imports and improving monitoring of potential energy dependencies was approved without vote. A second decision, from the Legal Affairs (JURI) Committee on corporate sustainability reporting and due diligence requirements, was rejected by Parliament, and will be placed on the agenda of the November I part-session.
Read this ‘at a glance note’ on ‘Plenary round-up – October II 2025‘ in the Think Tank pages of the European Parliament.
Les robinets d'Akpakpa sont à sec. L'eau, source de vie, devient un luxe pour les habitants de ce quartier de Cotonou confrontés depuis quelque temps à une pénurie persistante.
Au quartier Akpakpa à Cotonou, le désarroi est palpable. Les habitants font face à des coupures d'eau de plus en plus fréquentes. « Nous souffrons. L'eau est souvent coupée dans le quartier. Parfois, elle ne revient qu'à des heures tardives, vers 2 heures du matin. Pour pallier le manque, nous faisons des réserves », confie un conducteur de taxi-moto, communément appelé zémidjan.
Un peu plus loin, un travailleur du secteur informel avoue s'être adapté à son quotidien. « En période de coupure, je préfère ne pas me doucher le soir. Je garde l'eau pour le matin », confie-t-il.
Cette situation impacte fortement les activités économiques locales, notamment les restauratrices. Faute d'eau, elles peinent à poursuivre leurs activités. Prudence, vendeuse d'Atassi (riz aux haricots), témoigne : « quand nos réserves sont épuisées, on ne peut plus cuisiner. Parfois, on utilise l'eau du puits. On n'a pas le choix ».
Même constat du côté des élèves. Maelis, en classe de CM2, raconte : « La coupure d'eau me dérange beaucoup. Parfois, je ne peux pas me laver le matin avant d'aller à l'école. Quand il n'y a plus d'eau, mes parents achètent des packs de “pure water” (l'eau en sachet) pour qu'on se débrouille. Et quand tout est fini, on va puiser l'eau du puits chez les voisins ».
Pour d'autres, cette solution de secours devient un poids financier. « Acheter des packs d'eau revient trop cher. À la longue, mieux vaut encore consommer l'eau du puits », confie Jean (nom d'emprunt).
Entre réserves improvisées et recours à des sources d'eau de qualité douteuse, les habitants d'Akpakpa tirent la sonnette d'alarme. Tous espèrent un retour rapide à une distribution d'eau potable stable et continue.
Marina HOUENOU (Stagiaire)
La Commission européenne a fait savoir qu’elle était disposée à renégocier l’accord mondial sur la neutralité carbone dans le transport maritime après le blocage des États-Unis à l’Organisation maritime internationale (OMI) la semaine dernière.
The post Transport maritime : l’UE prête à renégocier l’accord sur la neutralité carbone après le blocage américain à l’OMI appeared first on Euractiv FR.
Nommé nonce apostolique auprès du Burkina Faso et du Niger en août dernier par le pape Léon XIV, Mgr Eric Soviguidi, a été accueilli, jeudi 23 octobre 2025 par le clergé béninois et de nombreux fidèles catholiques venus célébrer son retour au Bénin.
Chants, danses et ferveur à l'aéroport Cardinal Bernardin Gantin de Cotonou ce jeudi 23 octobre 2025. C'est le retour de Mgr Eric Soviguidi sur sa terre natale avant son départ en mission. Le prélat béninois a été nommé nonce apostolique auprès du Burkina Faso et du Niger en août dernier par le pape Léon XIV.
S'adressant à la presse locale, le nouveau nonce apostolique confie : « on n'est jamais prêt à recevoir une telle nouvelle. C'est à la fois un bouleversement et une grâce. Je rends grâce au Seigneur et je lui demande son aide pour porter cette responsabilité ».
Mgr Eric Soviguidi devient le troisième Béninois à servir comme représentant du Saint-Siège. « Chaque Eglise particulière apporte sa contribution à l'Eglise universelle. C'est beau que le Pape fasse appel à des fils de différentes nations », a-t-il ajouté, saluant ses prédécesseurs Mgr Pascal N'koué (Nonce apostolique au Panama) et Mgr Dieudonné Datonou (Nonce apostolique au Burundi).
Le nouveau nonce apostolique auprès du Burkina Faso et du Niger sera consacré le 15 novembre prochain à la paroisse Sacré-coeur de Cotonou. Son choix d'être ordonné à Cotonou se veut un geste de fidélité et de proximité avec son Église d'origine. « Nous sommes au service du Saint-Siège, mais je tenais à ce que cette consécration se fasse ici, au Bénin. On n'y a jamais vu l'ordination d'un nonce. Je suis attaché à mon pays et à mon Église locale », a-t-il expliqué.
Avant de s'envoler vers sa nouvelle mission diplomatique, Mgr Eric Soviguidi place son ministère sous le signe de la paix et de la fraternité. « Je pense que c'est ensemble que le chemin se fera pour que la paix soit consolidée dans ces deux pays, avec foi et détermination », a affirmé le nouveau nonce apostolique auprès du Burkina Faso et du Niger.
M. M.