Central African Republic

The Central African Republic joined the Global Methane Initiative (GMI) in 2025, and participates in the Biogas, Coal Mines, and Oil & Gas Subcommittees. 

The Central African Republic has made national and international commitments to methane emissions mitigation efforts. These measures include establishing reduction targets as well as participating in climate initiatives that support methane mitigation at waste management sites and in the agriculture and livestock sector. The country’s national climate framework is enhanced by the Central African Republic’s strong international relationships and participation in global initiatives to reach climate goals.

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Methane Emissions Summary

According to the Central African Republic’s Biennial Update Report, published in 2023, methane is the country’s third largest source of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The major sources of methane emissions include biomass burning, enteric fermentation, manure management, and waste management. 

Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biomass Burning (kg)

Source Category Gas 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
Total emissions from biomass burning CO2 467,159.72 267,283.3 766,946.61 338,370.33 782,531.39 524,458.27
CO 30,272.41 17,173.85 49,806.28 21,839.6 50,991.39 34,016.706
CH4 1,956.75 1,103.03 3,224.53 1,407.47 3,309.56 2,200.268
N2O 456.57 256.16 753.27 327.69 774.57 513.652
NOX 499.36 293.76 813.88 366.48 820.9 558.876

Source: The Central African Republic’s third National Communication. https://unfccc.int/documents/631041. Accessed April 2025.

Methane Emissions from Livestock Production (Gg)

Livestock Production Category 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation 0.1523 0.1567 0.08621 0.08782 0.0894 0.09240
CH4 emissions from manure management 0.0073 0.00754 0.00474 0.00482 0.00489 0.00503
TOTAL CH4 0.1596 0.16427 0.09095 0.09265 0.09437 0.09742

Source: The Central African Republic’s third National Communication. https://unfccc.int/documents/631041. Accessed April 2025.

Methane Emissions from Waste Management (Gg)

Waste Management 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015 2016
CH4 emissions from domestic wastewater 13.58 13.92 14.27 14.62 14.99 15.36

Source: The Central African Republic’s third National Communication. https://unfccc.int/documents/631041. Accessed April 2025.

Methane Commitments and Plans

Methane mitigation efforts in the Central African Republic are guided by national and international commitments and plans. 

National

The Central African Republic has implemented multi-sectoral strategies to achieve methane emissions reductions.

International

The Central African Republic actively supports and participates in international efforts to address methane emissions and reach global climate targets.

  • The Central African Republic joined the European Union to launch the Global Methane Pledge at the United Nations (UN) Climate Change Conferences (COP26), committing to reduce global methane emissions by 30% from 2020 levels by 2030.
  • The Central African Republic signed the Paris Agreement in April 2016, committing to significant measures to combat methane emissions.
  • As a partner of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition since 2013, the Central African Republic supports efforts to reduce methane.
  • From 2017 to 2020, the Central African Republic’s Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development collaborated with the Climate and Clean Air Coalition through the Supporting National Planning (SNAP) Initiative to build integrated emission inventories and increase capacity to mitigate short-lived climate pollutants (SLCPs) including methane.

Methane Actions

The following highlights a sampling of actions taken by the Central African Republic to address methane, organized by GMI sector. 

Biogas Sector

Ministries and Agencies Supporting Methane Actions

Explore the following websites to learn more about the government ministries addressing methane emissions.