International Rice Research Institute and Partners Convene Global Workshop on Greenhouse Gas Measurement and Modelling in Rice Systems

Strategic Insights -

The International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and partners are convening a global workshop to streamline greenhouse gas (GHG) measurement and modelling methodologies in rice systems. Over 70 international experts will gather to align measurement methods, share compatible data, and improve tools and models for tracking GHG emissions in rice systems. This initiative aims to accelerate progress toward more sustainable, climate-smart, and low-emission rice production.

Key Takeaways:

  • The workshop will cover topics such as best practices for the chamber method, guidance on flux computation, approaches to data harmonization, and model intercomparison to assess and enhance the performance of CH4-capable rice models.
  • The organisers will include key scientists and experts from leading organisations, including Dr. Cynthia Rosenzweig, Dr. Toshihiro Hasegawa, Dr. Kazunori Minamikawa, Mr. Erik Mencos, and Dr. Roberto Valdivia.
  • The workshop will produce a series of tangible outputs, including a standardized chamber method protocol for measuring GHG emissions in rice fields, a flux computation guidance document detailing best-practice calculation methods, and a harmonized, open-access dataset of CH4 flux measurements complete with standardized metadata.
  • Participants will also develop a protocol for model intercomparison assessing the performance of CH4-capable rice models against observed data and develop simplified methane simulation methods to make the IPCC's Tier 3 inventory approach accessible.
  • The harmonized dataset will serve as a valuable global resource for model calibration, emission factor refinement, and climate impact assessments.
  • The workshop aims to create a first-of-its-kind community of practice platform under the AgMIP framework, advancing science and supporting countries and farmers adopt climate-smart practices that reduce emissions while safeguarding rice productivity and resilience.
  • Over 70 participants from 40 organisations across 20 countries will participate in the workshop.

Statistics:

  • Rice production is vital to global food security, feeding more than half of the world's human population.
  • Rice cultivation contributes significantly to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, particularly methane (CH4), which is responsible for roughly 45% of recent net global warming.
  • Current global CH4 inventories suffer from uncertainties as high as ±30% for some agricultural sectors.
  • The chamber-based data vary widely due to differences in equipment design and deployment techniques.
  • The workshop is expected to deliver a series of tangible outputs, including a standardized chamber method protocol, a flux computation guidance document, and a harmonized, open-access dataset of CH4 flux measurements.
  • The harmonized dataset will serve as a valuable global resource for model calibration, emission factor refinement, and climate impact assessments.

Sources:

  • IRRI. (2025). IRRI and partners convene global multi-stakeholder workshop to streamline GHG measurement and modelling methodologies in rice systems.
  • IRRI. (2025). Greenhouse Gases Flux and Modelling from Rice Workshop.
  • Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). (2025). Uncertainties in global CH4 inventories.
  • Global Methane Hub. (2025). Global Methane Hub recognizes the centrality of efficient and standardized emission monitoring methodologies to generating accurate locally relevant data for effective climate action and accountability.