Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in Europe

Non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emission reductions from the European Union agriculture sector fell by 8% between 2005 and 2024, and estimates indicate a further 1% reduction between 2024 and 2025. Predominantly covering methane and nitrous oxide reduction, these non-CO₂ emissions are covered by national targets under the Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR).

Figure 1. EU agricultural emissions by source and projected emissions

The European Climate Law sets out the EU’s commitment to become a climate-neutral economy by 2050, with an intermediate target of reducing net greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from the agriculture sector are covered by the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which sets emission limits for each Member State for the period 2021-2030. Emissions from transport, buildings, waste and mostly non-CO₂ emissions from the energy sector are also included in national ESR targets, which collectively aim to reduce total EU emissions from the covered sectors by 40% compared with 2005 levels.

Among the non-CO₂greenhouse gas emissions from EU agriculture, methane emissions from enteric fermentation and nitrous oxide emissions from agricultural soils are the two largest sources, accounting for 52% and 31% of total agricultural GHG emissions, respectively. Emissions from manure management (including both CH₄ and N₂O) represent the third-largest source, accounting for approximately 17% of total agricultural emissions.

Between 2005 and 2024, total methane emissions from agriculture in the EU decreased by around 8%, from 244 Mt CO₂e to 226 Mt CO₂e. These emissions constitute around 66% of the EU's total anthropogenic methane emissions.

In the same time period, total nitrous oxide emissions from agriculture in the EU fell by 9 %, from 136 Mt CO₂e in 2005 to 124 Mt CO₂e in 2024. Agriculture also remains the dominant source of nitrous oxide emissions in the EU, accounting for around 69% of total EU N₂O emissions in 2024.

Together, the EU’s non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture fell by 8 % between 2005 and 2024, with a further decrease of 1% estimated between 2024 and 2025. Current policies and measures in the Member States are projected to further reduce these emissions by 12% by 2030, compared to 2005 levels. Additional measures reported by Member States are projected to deliver total reductions 15% below the 2005 level by 2030.

Figure 2. Agricultural emissions and projected emissions by EU Member State

Behind the overall EU trend, there are considerable differences among Member States’ past emissions and their projections of future non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emissions. Since 2005, 18 Member States have reduced their agricultural emissions, while 9 Member States have recorded increases. Emissions declined by more than 10% in Belgium, Croatia, Denmark, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Malta, Romania and Slovakia, whereas increases of more than 10% were recorded in Bulgaria, Estonia and Latvia.

Most Member States project that recent trends will continue through the implementation of existing policies and measures. Additional planned measures are expected to accelerate the reduction of non-CO₂ emissions from agriculture in several countries. Slovakia, Croatia, Italy, Romania, France, Belgium, Spain, Netherlands, Austria, Luxemburg and Ireland each projects additional reductions of at least 10% by 2030 to be delivered by new policies that have been adopted but are not yet implemented. Ten Member States have not reported any additional planned measures to reduce non-CO₂ agricultural emissions beyond those already in place.

Supporting information

DefinitionMethodology

Methodology for indicator calculation

Historical and projected emissions estimates from all 27 EU Member States (and aggregated for the EU-27) were obtained from the publicly available databases published by the EEA based on official submissions.

For the presentation of historical trends in emissions by subcategory, the following minor emissions categories were combined into the single aggregate category ‘Other’: ‘Rice cultivation’ (CRF 3C), ‘Prescribed burning of savannahs’ (CRF 3E), ‘Field burning of agricultural residues’ (CRF 3F), ‘Liming’ (CRF 3G), ‘Urea application’ (CRF 3H), ‘Other carbon containing fertilisers’ (CRF 3I) and ‘Other agricultural emissions’ (CRF 3J).

For simplicity, emissions arising from ‘Enteric fermentation’ (CRF 3A) and ‘Manure management’ (CRF 3B) were presented for all livestock types combined. In addition, where emissions of several gases occur from the same subcategory (e.g. ‘Manure management’ (CRF 3B), for which emissions comprise both CH₄ and N₂O), these have been combined into a single CO₂e value. Direct and indirect N₂O emissions from agricultural soils are also presented as a single CO₂e figure.

The latest available version of the historical inventory and projected emissions were used to compile the indicator, but it should be noted that this may introduce slight inconsistencies between the historical and projected emissions if projections for some Member States are not based on the latest inventory data submitted and recalculations have been made.

Methodology for gap filling

No methodology for gap filling has been specified.

Policy/environmental relevance

— the ESR — lays down obligations for Member States with respect to their emission limits for the period 2021-2030 to meet the GHG emissions reduction target of the Union. The goal for Europe to become climate neutral by 2050 is enshrined in , which includes the target of reducing net emissions of GHGs by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. Regulation (EU) 2023/857 amended the ESR and increased the collective 2030 emission reduction target for the sectors covered by the Regulation to 40% below 2005 levels.

Accuracy and uncertaintiesData sources and providers

Metadata

References and footnotes

EU, 2018, Regulation (EU) 2018/842 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 May 2018 on binding annual greenhouse gas emission reductions by Member States from 2021 to 2030 contributing to climate action to meet commitments under the Paris Agreement and amending Regulation (EU) No 525/2013, OJ L 156, 19.6.2018, p. 26-42.

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EU, 2021, Regulation (EU) 2021/1119 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 30 June 2021 establishing the framework for achieving climate neutrality and amending Regulations (EC) No 401/2009 and (EU) 2018/1999 (‘European Climate Law’), OJ L 243, 9.7.2021, p. 1-17.

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