Impact of animal health interventions on greenhouse gas emission and adaptive capacity of sheep producers under extensive production systems in Ethiopia

Abstract Livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa is both a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and highly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. In Ethiopia, livestock significantly contribute to emissions, undermining pastoralists’ adaptive capacity and requiring effective emission-reduction and adaptation measures. This study assessed the impact of strategic Animal Health Interventions (AHI) on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from grazing sheep and the adaptive capacity of sheep-keepers in Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study with multistage sampling technique was used to select 497 sheep producers across four districts: Degahabur (pastoral), and Menz Mama, Adiyo-Kaka, and Telo (mixed crop-livestock systems). GHG emissions were estimated using Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model-interactive (GLEAM-i), while adaptive capacity of sheep producers against negative influences of climate change was analyzed using Local Adaptive Capacity (LAC) framework through the Propensity Score Matching model of STATA 14. Results showed that strategic AHI increased total GHG emissions from sheep by 10.45%, 11.48%, and 15.93% in Degahabur, Menz Mama, and Adiyo-Kaka/Telo districts, respectively. However, the interventions reduced emission intensity (EI) of gases per unit of protein by 66.30%, 40.36%, and 45.17% in the respective districts, through enhancing the protein outputs. Methane (CH 4 ) was the dominant greenhouse gas (77–85%) emitted, mainly from enteric fermentation (76%), followed by nitrous oxide (N 2 O; 12–16%) primarily from manure management, and carbon dioxide (CO 2 ; 3–6%). Adaptive capacity of sheep producers was significantly ( P < 0.05) higher in the intervention areas of all study districts (except Degahabur district) than controls. It is also noted that AHI had synergies with EI and adaptive capacity, but trade-offs with total GHG emissions across the study districts. In conclusion, strategic animal health interventions reduced greenhouse gas emission intensity from sheep and enhanced adaptive capacity of sheep producers. Hence, it is recommended to integrate strategic animal health interventions into Ethiopia’s future climate change adaptation and mitigation strategies.