Agri-climate report 2022 (2024)

Key messages

• All agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions decreased between 1990 and 2020.

• From 1990 to 2020, emissions intensity from cattle, dairy and pigs have decreased. For sheep, emissions have remained the same.

• The 2022 Farm Practices Survey (FPS) indicated that 64% of farmers thought it important to consider GHGs when making farm business decisions, whilst 29% considered it not important.

Section 1. UK agriculture estimated GHG emissions

Agriculture contributes to the emissions of nitrous oxide, methane and carbon dioxide. It is a major source of both nitrous oxide and methane emissions in the UK, accounting for 69% of total nitrous oxide emissions and 48% of all methane emissions in 2020. In contrast, agriculture only accounted for about 1.7% of total carbon dioxide emissions. Agricultural emissions come from livestock, agricultural soils, stationary combustion sources and off-road machinery. Between 1990 and 2020, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture decreased by around 16%. This occurred mainly during the 2000s, due to a fall in animal numbers and a decrease in synthetic fertiliser usage, and since then emissions have remained at a similar level.

It is important to note that there are relatively large uncertainties in estimating agricultural emissions. For more information, see Section 1 of the Annex.

1.1 Change in GHG emissions, 1990 - 2020

Figure 1.1 UK estimated GHG emissions for agriculture, 1990 and 2020 (million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, MtCO₂e)

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year to take account of methodological improvements in the UK emissions inventory.

The change in emissions for GHGs between 1990 and 2020:

• Total GHGs decreased by 16%

• Nitrous oxide decreased by 20%

• Methane decreased by 15%

• Carbon dioxide decreased by 15%

1.2 Total emissions

Figure 1.2 GHG emissions from UK agriculture (MtCO₂e )

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year to take account of methodological improvements in the UK emissions inventory.

Figure 1.2 provides an overall picture of the level of estimated GHG emissions from agriculture. In 2020, when compared to total emissions from all sectors, agriculture was the source of:

• 11% of total GHG emissions in the UK

• 69% of total nitrous oxide emissions

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• 48% of total methane emissions

• 1.7% of total carbon dioxide emissions

1.3 Nitrous oxide emissions

Figure 1.3 Emissions of nitrous oxide from UK agriculture by source ( MtCO₂e )

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year to take account of methodological improvements in the UK emissions inventory.

2. ‘Direct soil emissions’ consists of leaching/runoff, synthetic fertiliser, manure as an organic fertiliser, atmospheric deposition, improved grassland soils, crop residues, cultivation of organic soils, N-fix crops, deposited manure on pasture (unmanaged).

3. ‘Other’ includes: stationary and mobile combustion, wastes and field burning of agricultural wastes.

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

The total emissions of nitrous oxide from agriculture in 2020 was 14.5 MtCO₂e , down 5.1% from 2019. Agriculture is estimated to be responsible for 69% of total nitrous oxide emissions, similar to 2019 levels. The majority of agricultural nitrous oxide emissions come from soils, particularly as a result of nitrogen fertiliser application, manure and leaching/run off. More information on the cause of nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture can be found in Section 1 of the annex .

The fall in estimated nitrous oxide emissions (20%) over the last twenty years has been driven by substantial reductions in the overall application rate for nitrogen fertilisers, particularly to grassland, whilst arable application rates have remained relatively stable. The decline in cattle numbers is thought to have contributed to the decrease of nitrogen use on grassland, possibly in conjunction with improvement in manure use efficiency (see British Survey of Fertiliser Practice). However, after the decline in emissions up to around 2006, levels have since remained fairly similar.

1.4 Methane emissions

Figure 1.4 Emissions of methane from UK agriculture by source (MtCO₂e)

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year to take account of methodological improvements in the UK emissions inventory.

2. ‘Enteric fermentation: other’ is goats, horses, pigs and deer.

3. ‘Manure management’ is wastes summed.

The total emissions of methane from agriculture in 2020 was 24.8 MtCO₂e, a decrease of 1.3% on 2019. Agriculture is estimated to have been the source of 48% of the UK’s methane emissions in 2020, an increase of 1.3% on 2019. Methane is produced as a by-product of enteric fermentation and from the decomposition of manure under anaerobic conditions. More information on the cause of methane emissions can be found in Section 1 of the annex.

The majority of the fall in estimated methane emissions since 1990 (15%) is due to reductions in the numbers of cattle and sheep in the UK. However, since 2009 the long-term fall stalled and methane emissions have remained at similar levels.

1.5 Carbon dioxide emissions

Figure 1.5 Emissions of carbon dioxide from UK agriculture by source (MtCO₂e)

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year to take account of methodological improvements in the UK emissions inventory.

In contrast to nitrous oxide and methane, of which agriculture contributes to a large proportion of total emissions, only 1.7% of carbon dioxide emissions (5.5 MtCO₂e) in the UK were attributed to agriculture in 2020, the same proportion as in 2019. Emissions of CO₂ from agriculture relate mainly to fuel use. Since 1990, there has been an overall decline (15%) in estimated carbon dioxide emissions from agriculture.

Section 2. Emissions intensity

This section shows the GHG emissions intensity in four agricultural industries: cattle (excluding dairy), dairy, pigs and sheep. These are top level indicators of intensity, rather than detailed life cycle assessments. The emissions intensity is calculated using animal emissions data from the United Nations Climate Change National Inventory Submissions, meat production data from Defra slaughter statistics and milk data from Defra milk statistics. All of this data is presented below and is indexed to 1990 to show trends from that reference year.

2.1 Cattle emissions intensity

Figure 2.1 Cattle emissions intensity

Source: Defra

Download the data for this chart

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year. These revisions consider improvements in the GHG inventory methodology (e.g. refinements to emissions/conversion factors on account of new research) and improvements to activity (input) data. Improvements to activity data may come from new data becoming available, but also a reinterpretation of previously used data, both of which can drive changes to emissions through the time series.
2. ‘Cattle’ refers to all cattle in the UK except dairy cows. Dairy cows (as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) inventory) are milking cows over 2 years old with young.
3. ‘Total meat produced’ is in million tonnes.
4. ‘Animal emissions’ is kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent
5. ‘Emissions intensity’ is kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent/kilogram of meat.

In 1996 there was a significant increase in the emissions intensity from cattle which corresponds with the introduction of the “over thirty months rule” introduced in 1996 after the spread of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in the 1990’s. Since then the emissions intensity has fallen, with an overall decrease of 7% since 1990. This was driven by both an overall decline in animal emissions (-13%) and meat production (-7%).

2.2 Dairy emissions intensity

Figure 2.2 Dairy emissions intensity

Source: Defra

Download the data for this chart

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year. These revisions consider improvements in the GHG inventory methodology (e.g. refinements to emissions/conversion factors on account of new research) and improvements to activity (input) data. Improvements to activity data may come from new data becoming available, but also a reinterpretation of previously used data, both of which can drive changes to emissions through the time series.
2. ‘Milk volume’ is million litres.
3. ‘Animal emissions’ is kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
4. ‘Emissions intensity’ is kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent/milk volume.
5. Dairy cows (as per the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) inventory) are milking cows over 2 years old with young.

The emissions intensity for dairy has seen a steady decrease since 1990 and the emissions from producing a litre of milk has decreased by 22%. This is driven by both an overall increase in milk volume (13%) and an overall decrease in animal emissions (-12%). Efficiency gains in dairy farming means milk production is up 11% from 2000, with 21% fewer cows and 12% less GHG emissions.

2.3 Pig emissions intensity

Figure 2.3 Pig emissions intensity

Source: Defra

Download the data for this chart

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year. These revisions consider improvements in the GHG inventory methodology (e.g. refinements to emissions/conversion factors on account of new research) and improvements to activity (input) data. Improvements to activity data may come from new data becoming available, but also a reinterpretation of previously used data, both of which can drive changes to emissions through the time series.
2. ‘Total meat produced’ is in million tonnes.
3. ‘Animal emissions’ is kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
4. ‘Emissions intensity’ is kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent/kilogram of meat.

For pigs, the emissions intensity has seen a steady decrease from 1990 to 2020. This was driven by an overall reduction in animal emissions (-41%) and increase in production (4%). Since 1990, the GHG emissions of producing a kg of pork has fallen by 44%. This was the biggest decline in emission intensity for that timeframe when compared to cattle, dairy and sheep.

2.4 Sheep emissions intensity

Figure 2.4 Sheep emissions intensity

Source: Defra

Download the data for this chart

Notes:

1. The entire time series is revised each year. These revisions consider improvements in the GHG inventory methodology (e.g. refinements to emissions/conversion factors on account of new research) and improvements to activity (input) data. Improvements to activity data may come from new data becoming available, but also a reinterpretation of previously used data, both of which can drive changes to emissions through the time series.
2. ‘Total meat produced’ is in million tonnes.
3. ‘Animal emissions’ is kilotons of carbon dioxide equivalent.
4. ‘Emissions intensity’ is kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent/kilogram of meat.

The emissions intensity for sheep has fluctuated from 1990 to 2020, however it has remained at nearly the same level in 2020 as that of 1990. There were similar trends for meat production and animal emissions between 1990 and 2020, both of which have fluctuated over this period and shown an overall decline of similar magnitude (20% and 21% respectively).

Section 3. Farmer attitudes and uptake of on-farm mitigation measures in England

3.1 Background information

The following section provides key summary statistics on farmer attitudes and views on GHGs and their uptake of a range of mitigation measures. It links to data on farmer understanding and awareness of actions towards reducing GHG emissions. Attitudes to and knowledge of GHGs is one of the GHG indicators and covers all farming sectors.

Understanding what practices are adopted, and why, can help to highlight motivations, barriers and provide an indication of the ease with which mitigation measures can be actioned. However, improving understanding and attitudes towards GHGs are not a guarantee of the adoption of mitigation practices, as business sustainability and financial implications are also important drivers for change.

3.2 Awareness of GHG emissions

Figure 3.1 How important is it to consider GHGs when taking decisions about crops, land and livestock?

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2022 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The 2022 Farm Practices Survey (FPS) indicated that 64% of farmers thought it important to consider GHGs when making farm business decisions (down from 67% in 2021), whilst 29% considered it not important (up from 27%). There were a relatively small number that believed their farm did not produce GHGs (6.5%). Cereal and dairy farms placed the greatest importance on GHGs and grazing livestock farms placed the least importance.

Figure 3.2 Proportion of farms taking action to reduce GHG emissions categorised by their views on whether taking action will improve farm profitability

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2022 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

In 2022, 44% of farmers thought that reducing emissions would improve farm profitability, a decrease from 47% in 2021. Dairy farms were the most likely to agree that reducing emissions would improve profitability, while less favoured area (LFA) grazing livestock farms were least convinced.

Of those that strongly agreed reducing GHGs increases profitability, 4.9% still did not take any action to reduce their emissions. However, 33% of those who strongly disagreed that reducing GHGs would increase profitability still took action to reduce their emissions.

3.3 What farmers say they do to reduce greenhouse gas emissions

Figure 3.3 Actions being taken by farmers to reduce GHG emissions

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2022 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The 2022 results indicated that 58% of farmers were taking actions to reduce emissions. Larger farms were more likely to be taking action than smaller farms. As in 2021, LFA and lowland grazing livestock farms were less likely to be taking action than other farm types (42% and 48% respectively). Unsurprisingly, those who think that reducing emissions is important are more likely to undertake an action to reduce emissions, for example 85% of those who thought it was very important took action, compared to 19% who thought it not at all important.

The most common actions to reduce GHG emissions were recycling waste materials on the farm (82%), improving energy efficiency (78%) and improving nitrogen fertiliser application accuracy (63%). These are actions that are relevant to most farm enterprises. Those actions more suited to livestock enterprises had a lower level of uptake.

Whilst most farm businesses should be able to implement key actions not all measures are suitable for all farm businesses. In general, larger farms were more likely to take action to reduce GHGs, however there were some key differences between enterprises which reflected the nature of the business:

• Grazing livestock, dairy and mixed farm types had the highest uptake of clover in grassland (as fits with the nature of management). However, grazing livestock and mixed enterprises were less likely to take action in relation to improving efficiency in manure/slurry management and feed efficiency compared to dairy, suggesting there are still opportunities for improved practice.

• Cereals, mixed and other cropping farms are more likely to take actions to improve nitrogen fertiliser application compared to grazing livestock farms, but it is also recognised that not all enterprises (such as organic farms and some grazing livestock farms) apply nitrogen fertiliser.

3.4 What are the main motivations for undertaking the actions to reduce greenhouse gas emissions?

Figure 3.4 Main motivations for taking action to reduce GHG emissions

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2022 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The main motivations for farmers to take action to reduce GHGs was that it was considered good business practice (84%) and concern for the environment (72%). This was fairly consistent across farm size and type.

Many farmers recognise the significance of GHG emissions, but some remain unconvinced about the business benefits of reducing emissions, with only 48% reporting that a main motivation was to improve profitability. There was some difference between farm type, with 39% of grazing livestock LFA, 40% of pigs and poultry and 41% grazing lowland responding this way, compared to 61% and 63% of mixed and dairy farms, respectively.

3.5 What farmers say are the barriers to reducing emissions

Figure 3.5 Factors preventing action to reduce GHG emissions

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2022 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

While research suggests that most practices to reduce GHG emissions could save farmers money (and many farmers are likely to be influenced to change their practices because it makes good business sense) there are several key barriers to uptake which are non-financial, or not directly financial. These include a lack of willingness to undertake practices (e.g. limited trust in what is being asked and the outcomes that will result) and a lack of ability to undertake them (e.g. a lack of understanding, skills, time or capital).

For farmers not currently undertaking any actions to reduce GHG emissions:

• the most reported reason for not taking action was being unsure on what to do due to too many conflicting views (44%). These informational barriers are important as 30% responded that a lack of information was another key reason for not taking action.

• There is a wider issue around willingness to adopt mitigation practices, with 36% not believing it necessary due to the fact they believe they do not produce many emissions.

• Actual financial barriers are smaller in comparison, with 16% saying it was too expensive and 29% saying there was not enough incentive.

For farmers who were already taking actions to reduce GHG emissions:

• Financial barriers were a bigger issue, with 32% saying it was too expensive.

• Despite already taking steps to reduce GHGs, informational barriers still proved to be important, with a lack of information (30%) and lack of clarity on what to do (36%) preventing some action.

Section 4. What you need to know about this release

4.1 Contact details

Responsible statistician: Maisie Duckham

Email address:agri.environmentstatistics@defra.gov.uk

For media queries between 9am and 6pm on weekdays:

• Telephone 0330 041 6560

• Email: newsdesk@defra.gov.uk

4.2 National and Official Statistics

Publications with National Statistics status meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value, and it is our responsibility to maintain compliance with these standards. These estimates have been designated as Official Statistics.

For general enquiries about National and Official Statistics, contact the National Statistics Public Enquiry Service:

Tel: 0845 601 3034

Email:info@statistics.gov.uk

4.3 Future publications

The next publication is due in Autumn 2023.