Research and analysis

Farming Sector Environmental Objectives: ammonia emissions

Published 22 October 2026

Applies to England

1. Objective title

The farming sector and delivery partners will contribute to the National Emissions Ceiling Regulations 2018, which stipulates a reduction in ammonia emissions of 16% from 2005 levels by 2030.

2. Objective overview

High levels of ammonia (NH3) fuel the creation of fine particulate matter (PM2.5) in the environment, causing damage to human health and ecosystems across the country.

Ammonia deposition can have significant impacts on ecosystems by adding excess nitrogen to soils and water, leading to nutrient enrichment, soil acidification, and changes in species composition, where fast‑growing species outcompete more sensitive plants, ultimately reducing biodiversity.

In 2022, the agricultural sector was responsible for 87% of the UK’s ammonia emissions, which Defra is working to effectively manage. This objective is currently under development, pending a review of contributing internal data and subsequent definition of our contribution to the UK-wide reduction targets.

3. Relevant targets and commitments

National Emissions Ceiling Regulations

The National Emissions Ceiling Regulations (NECR) 2018 set a UK-wide target of:

• Reduce ammonia emissions by 16 per cent compared to emissions in 2005 by 2030.

The farming sector will contribute towards the statutory target through agri-environment schemes, as monitored by the environmental objective. However, the required contribution is currently being defined, pending a review of internal emissions data.

Environment Act 2021

The Environment Act 2021 set two  statutory targets focussed on reduction of PM2.5, stating:

• to achieve at least a 35% reduction in population exposure to PM2.5 by 31 December 2040 compared to 2018 levels

• by 31 December 2040 the maximum annual mean level of PM2.5 in ambient air must be equal to or less than 10 micrograms per cubic metre

Environmental Improvement Plan

In order to meet the statutory targets set under the Environment Act 2021, the Environmental Improvement Plan 2025 (EIP25) sets two interim targets for PM2.5 in air:

• an annual mean concentration target of 10 micrograms per cubic metre to be achieved by December 2030

• a population exposure reduction target of 30% compared to 2018 to be achieved by December 2030

Clean Air Strategy

The Clean Air Strategy sets a non-statutory commitment of:

• [a] reduction of damaging deposition of reactive forms of nitrogen by 17% over England’s protected priority sensitive habitats by 2030

4. Delivery approach

4.1 Methodology

Previous research for Defra, such as Countryside Stewardship and Air Quality, has studied Environmental Land Management schemes and other available agricultural grants for their potential impact on ammonia emissions. This includes reduction and recapture of ammonia both directly and indirectly, also known as an Ammonia Emission Factor (AEF).

For this objective, we will include all measures from our available agri-environment schemes that are identified as having an accepted AEF. However, due to the introduction of new measures since the research was completed in 2017, an internal review is attributing AEF to current offers. Once this is completed, we will be able to define our eligible contribution to the NECR target.

Uptake associated with this objective reflects action adoption rather than outcomes, and therefore does not provide a direct, reportable link to ammonia savings targets and commitments.

4.2 Technical information

Objective Name	Ammonia Emissions
Geographical scope	England
Related commitments	Statutory particulate matter reduction targets
Reporting status	In development
Contributing schemes	Undetermined
Aggregation method	Undetermined
First reported	October 2026
Last updated	October 2026