Agriculture
The agriculture sector accounted for 11% of UK greenhouse gas emissions in 2020. Emissions of methane and nitrous oxide dominate this sector. The most significant sources here are emissions of methane due to enteric fermentation from livestock, particularly cattle, and nitrous oxide emissions related to the use of fertilisers on agricultural soils. Emissions from fuel use in farm vehicles and machinery are also fairly significant.
Enteric fermentation is a part of the digestive process in animals, with methane emissions mostly coming from ruminant animals that are raised for meat or milk. Ruminant refers to herbivorous animals that chew and regurgitate their food through a number of different stomachs, such as cattle and sheep. As food that these animals have digested decomposes and ferments, methane is produced as a by-product, which will then be released into the atmosphere. These emissions can mainly be influenced by breeding practices and the type of animal feed.
Between 1990 and 2013, there was a general downward trend in emissions from agriculture, with an overall decrease of around 16%. This reduction was achieved largely through a decline in animal numbers alongside a decrease in synthetic fertiliser use.
Since 2013, however, there has been very little change in emissions from this sector. Emissions from vehicles and machinery have actually increased by 10%. Emissions from enteric fermentation have also increased slightly, as have emissions from animal wastes. Emissions from fertiliser use are also now slightly above 2013 levels.
The additional end-user emissions are emissions from the energy supply sector which have been re-allocated to the agriculture sector. This mainly relates to either electricity consumption or the processing of fuels for use by farm vehicles and machinery.
Enteric fermentation is a part of the digestive process in animals, with methane emissions mostly coming from ruminant animals that are raised for meat or milk. Ruminant refers to herbivorous animals that chew and regurgitate their food through a number of different stomachs, such as cattle and sheep. As food that these animals have digested decomposes and ferments, methane is produced as a by-product, which will then be released into the atmosphere. These emissions can mainly be influenced by breeding practices and the type of animal feed.
Between 1990 and 2013, there was a general downward trend in emissions from agriculture, with an overall decrease of around 16%. This reduction was achieved largely through a decline in animal numbers alongside a decrease in synthetic fertiliser use.
Since 2013, however, there has been very little change in emissions from this sector. Emissions from vehicles and machinery have actually increased by 10%. Emissions from enteric fermentation have also increased slightly, as have emissions from animal wastes. Emissions from fertiliser use are also now slightly above 2013 levels.
The additional end-user emissions are emissions from the energy supply sector which have been re-allocated to the agriculture sector. This mainly relates to either electricity consumption or the processing of fuels for use by farm vehicles and machinery.
|
What needs to be done to reach net-zero?
Changes in farming practices will be necessary in order to address emissions from both livestock and soils. Machinery and vehicles will also need to switch from using fossil fuels. Some farms have already been able to successfully introduced new practices that reduce emissions, and that good practice will now need to be rolled out across the whole sector.
Behavioural changes will also be required by consumers in order to reach net-zero. In particular, that will mean a reduction in meat and dairy consumption.
Changes in farming practices will be necessary in order to address emissions from both livestock and soils. Machinery and vehicles will also need to switch from using fossil fuels. Some farms have already been able to successfully introduced new practices that reduce emissions, and that good practice will now need to be rolled out across the whole sector.
Behavioural changes will also be required by consumers in order to reach net-zero. In particular, that will mean a reduction in meat and dairy consumption.
