The federal government has confirmed Australia will sign up to a global pledge to reduce methane emissions, while insisting the commitment will not involve any new taxes or levies.
The Morrison government refused to sign the US and European Union-led pledge to cut global methane emissions by 30 per cent this decade, citing concerns over its impact on the agriculture sector.
Climate Change Minister Chris Bowen on Sunday announced Australia would join more than 120 other nations which have already signed up to the voluntary pledge.
"Methane is 24 per cent of Australia's emissions and we are the world's 11th-biggest emitter of methane so it's very important that we have a seat at the table, and we are part of the solution," Mr Bowen said
"If this pledge is met, it will contribute to an avoidance of 0.2 degrees of warming, which is very important as we strive to keep the world as close as possible to one and a half degrees of warming."
Around half of methane emissions in Australia come from the agriculture sector, while 29 per cent come from resources and 10 per cent from waste.
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton recently claimed that signing the pledge would result in a "tax on cattle" while Nationals leader David Littleproud said it would ruin the backyard barbecue by driving up beef prices.
"We do not want to see the Aussie BBQ available to only the rich — we urge Labor to reject the methane madness idea and embrace the Aussie BBQ spirit instead of destroy it," Mr Littleproud said.
Mr Bowen said those comments were a "predictable but very disappointing tailspin of lies" and insisted the government would not introduce taxes or levies to reduce livestock emissions.
"Our approach will not involve new taxes will not involve livestock reductions or arbitrary domestic targets," Mr Bowen said.
"Our approach involves international cooperation and domestic cooperation."
He said the pledge does not require a focus on the agriculture sector and the government would work closely with the energy, resources, agriculture and waste sectors on "sensible plans" for methane emission reduction.
"What we'll do is implement our reforms to the safeguard mechanism which will see all emissions come down from big emitters, including methane," Mr Bowen said.
"Our country's focus will be on research and development, on investment, on collaboration and partnership with key sectors."
The government has awarded $5 million worth of grants to support research and development for low-emissions feed supplements for grazing animals.
