Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in Europe

Non-CO₂ greenhouse gas emission reductions from the European Union agriculture sector fell by 7% between 2005 and 2023, and estimates indicate a further 1% reduction between 2023 and 2024. Based on current policies and measures alone, Member States project that their cumulative agricultural emissions will slowly decline. When taking into account additional planned measures, the 2030 reduction from agriculture would reach a level 13% below 2005 levels. This highlights the need for further action to reduce non-CO₂emissions in the agriculture sector.

Figure 1. EU agricultural emissions by source and projected emissions

The European Climate Law sets out the EU’s commitment to shift to a climate neutral economy by 2050, with an intermediate target to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by at least 55% by 2030. Agricultural GHG emissions are covered by the EU Effort Sharing Regulation (ESR), which sets annual targets for each Member State for the period 2021-2030. Emissions from transport, buildings and waste are also included in national ESR targets, which collectively aim to reduce total EU emissions from the sectors covered by 40%, compared with 2005 levels.

Methane (CH₄) emissions from enteric fermentation and nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from soils are responsible for 49% and 30% of total agricultural GHG emissions respectively. CH₄ from manure management is the third most important source of emissions, accounting for about 17%. The remaining sources make relatively small contributions, accounting for less than 5% of agricultural GHG emissions in total.

Between 2005 and 2023, the EU’s agricultural GHG emissions had an overall decreasing trend of 6%, with a further 1% reduction estimated between 2023 and 2024. Member States combined project that, based on their current policies and measures, EU’s agricultural emissions in 2030 would reach a level that is 10% below the 2005 baseline. If additional measures currently planned by Member States are implemented, the total reduction is projected to reach 13% below 2005 levels.

To meet their overall national Effort Sharing targets, Member States will have to achieve much greater reductions in other sectors or accelerate agricultural emission reductions. A European Commission impact assessment highlights the challenges in further reducing non-CO₂ GHG emissions from agriculture.

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

Although agricultural GHG emissions changed very little at EU level between 2005 and 2023, trends varied widely among Member States. While the majority of Member States reported falling agricultural emissions, nine saw their agricultural emissions increase. Croatia, Slovakia, Denmark, Greece, France and Romania all observed emission reductions of more than 10%.

Many Member States anticipate a continuation of past trends in their national projections, based on current policies. The planned implementation of additional measures is expected to have a strong impact on agricultural emissions in Belgium, Ireland and Luxembourg. These Member States anticipate a reduction of 10% or more by 2030 compared to projections based on only existing measures. Ten Member States have not reported any planned additional measures to reduce agricultural emissions beyond their current measures.

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 minimum contributions to meeting the GHG emissions reduction target of the Union, for the period 2021-2030. The goal for Europe to become climate neutral by 2050 is enshrined in the , which includes the target of reducing net emissions of GHGs by at least 55% by 2030, compared with 1990 levels. This law acknowledges the need to revise the ESR to deliver the additional emissions reductions for 2030, for which the Commission made a proposal in July 2021.

Accuracy and uncertaintiesData sources and providers

Metadata

DPSIRTopicsTagsTemporal coverageGeographic coverage

TypologyUN SDGsUnit of measureFrequency of dissemination

References and footnotes

<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">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.</div> </div>
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<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">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.</div> </div>
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<div class="csl-bib-body" style="line-height: 1.35; "> <div class="csl-entry">EC, 2020, Commission staff working document — impact assessment accompanying the document Communication from the Commission to the European Parliament, the Council, the European Economic and Social Committee and the Committee of the Regions ‘Stepping up Europe’s 2030 climate ambition: investing in a climate-neutral future for the benefit of our people’, SWD(2020) 176 final of 17 September 2020.</div> </div>
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