The climate emissions from Finnish dairy farming may be only about half of what has previously been estimated, according to researchers at the Natural Resources Institute Finland, Luke. The assessment concerns one of the most visible sources of agricultural emissions in Finland, which makes the finding relevant for climate policy and for future efforts to cut emissions in the sector.

Svenska Yle reported that the researchers’ view has divided opinion. The discussion centers on how dairy emissions are calculated and what assumptions are used in the models, but no more detailed figures or methodological changes have been made public in the brief.

The issue matters because agricultural emissions are part of Finland’s climate targets and shape what kinds of measures may be considered effective. If the lower estimate holds up, it could change how the role of dairy farming is viewed in the wider emissions debate.