Official Statistics

Agri-climate report 2023

Published 26 January 2024

Key messages

• Total agricultural greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions have decreased by 12% between 1990 and 2021.
• From 1990 to 2021, emissions intensities from cattle, dairy and pigs all decreased (by 4%, 23% and 44% respectively). However, sheep emissions intensity increased by 5%.
• The 2023 Farm Practices Survey (FPS) indicated that 62% of farmers thought it important to consider GHGs when making farm business decisions, while 32% considered it not important.

Section 1. UK agriculture estimated GHG emissions

Agriculture contributes to 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 71% of total nitrous oxide emissions and 49% of all methane emissions in 2021. In contrast, agriculture only accounted for about 1.9% of total carbon dioxide emissions. Agricultural emissions come from livestock, agricultural soils, stationary combustion sources and off-road machinery. Between 1990 and 2021, greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture decreased by around 12%. 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 - 2021

Figure 1.1 UK estimated GHG emissions for agriculture, 1990 and 2021 (million tonnes carbon dioxide equivalent, MtCO₂e)

Emission type	1990	2021
UK Agriculture: total GHG emissions	54.4	47.9
Nitrous oxide emissions	16.6	13.6
Methane emissions	32.5	27.9
Carbon dioxide emissions	5.3	6.5

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero

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 2021:

• Total GHGs decreased by 12%

• Nitrous oxide decreased by 18%

• Methane decreased by 14%

• Carbon dioxide increased by 22%

1.2 Total emissions

Figure 1.2 GHG emissions from UK agriculture (MtCO₂e )

Source: UK greenhouse gas emissions, Department for Energy, Security and Net Zero

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 2021, when compared to total emissions from all sectors, agriculture was the source of:

• 11% of total GHG emissions in the UK
• 71% of total nitrous oxide emissions
• 49% of total methane emissions
• 1.9% 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 Energy, Security and Net Zero

The total emissions of nitrous oxide from agriculture in 2021 was 13.6 MtCO2e, up 2.7% from 2020. Agriculture is estimated to be responsible for 71% of total nitrous oxide emissions in 2021, similar to 2020 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 (18%) 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 Energy, Security and Net Zero

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 the sum of wastes from livestock (cattle, dairy, sheep, pigs).

The total emissions of methane from agriculture in 2021 was 27.9 MtCO2e, an increase of 0.5% on 2020. Agriculture is estimated to have been the source of 49% of the UK’s methane emissions in 2021, compared with 48% in 2020. 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 (14%) 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 Energy, Security and Net Zero

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, to which agriculture contributes a large proportion of total emissions, only 1.9% of carbon dioxide emissions (6.5 MtCO2e) in the UK were attributed to agriculture in 2021, a similar proportion to 2020. Emissions of CO2 from agriculture relate mainly to fuel use. Since 1990, there has been an overall increase (22%) 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 (excluding dairy)

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 for beef and veal production, which corresponds with the introduction of the “over thirty months rule” introduced in 1996 after the spread of BSE (Bovine Spongiform Encephalopathy) in the 1990s. Since then the emissions intensity has fallen, with an overall decrease of 4% since 1990. This was driven by both an overall decline in animal emissions (-13%), livestock numbers (-18%) and meat production (-10%).

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, i.e. milk production, has seen a steady decrease since 1990, decreasing by 23% between 1990 and 2021. This was driven by an overall decrease in animal emissions (-12%), despite an overall increase in milk production (13%) . Efficiency gains in dairy farming mean milk production is up 11% from 2000, with a 21% reduction in numbers of dairy cows and a 3% reduction in GHG emissions from dairy cows over the same period.

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.

The emissions intensity for pigs, i.e. pork production, has seen a steady decrease since 1990, decreasing by 44% between 1990 and 2021. This was driven by an overall reduction in animal emissions (-39%), which more than offset a 9.6% increase in production. Pigs have seen the biggest decline in emissions intensity since 1990 when compared to cattle (-4%), dairy (-23%) and sheep (+5%).

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 2021; however in 2021 it was 5% higher than in 1990. Meat production and animal emissions showed similar trends between 1990 and 2021, with both fluctuating over this period and showing similar overall declines of 24% and 20% 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?

Response	Percentage
Very important	17.1%
Fairly important	44.8%
Not very important	23.8%
Not at all important	8.7%
My farm does not produce GHGs	5.6%

Source: Farm Practices Survey 2023 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The 2023 Farm Practices Survey (FPS) indicated that 62% of farmers thought it important to consider GHGs when making farm business decisions (down from 64% in 2022), while 32% considered it not important (up from 29%). There were a relatively small number that believed their farm did not produce GHGs (5.6%). Mixed and dairy farms placed the greatest importance on GHGs, while 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 2023, 44% of farmers thought that reducing emissions would improve farm profitability, no change since 2022. 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, 14% still did not take any action to reduce their emissions. However, 29% 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 2023 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The 2023 results indicated that 53% of farmers were taking actions to reduce emissions. Larger farms were more likely to be taking action than smaller farms. As in 2022, LFA and lowland grazing livestock farms were less likely to be taking action than other farm types (with 28% and 45% taking action respectively). Unsurprisingly, those who think that reducing emissions is important are more likely to undertake an action to reduce emissions. 83% of farmers who thought it was very important to consider GHGs when making farm business decisions took action, whereas only 18% who thought it not at all important took action.

The most common actions to reduce GHG emissions were improving energy efficiency (82%), recycling waste materials on the farm (80%) and improving nitrogen fertiliser application accuracy (61%).

While 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 farm types:

• Grazing livestock, dairy and mixed farm types had the highest uptake of clover in grassland.

• Cereals, other cropping and dairy 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 2023 – greenhouse gas mitigation practices

The main motivations for farmers to take action to reduce GHGs were that it was considered good business practice (83%) and concern for the environment (73%). 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 50% reporting that a main motivation was to improve profitability. There were some differences between farm types, with just 30% of grazing livestock LFA and 38% of grazing lowland famers motivated by profitability, compared to higher proportions for pigs and poultry (66%), dairy (65%) and mixed farms (60%).

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 2023 – 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 that 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 (43%). 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 33% not believing it necessary due to the fact they believe they do not produce many emissions.

• Actual financial barriers are smaller in comparison, with 18% saying it was too expensive and 25% saying there was not enough incentive.

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

• Financial barriers were a bigger issue, with 31% saying it was too expensive.

• Despite already taking steps to reduce GHGs, informational barriers still proved to be important, with a lack of information (25%) and uncertainty due to conflicting views (36%) preventing some further action.

Section 4. What you need to know about this release

4.1 Contact details

Responsible statistician: Andrew Fletcher

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

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

• Telephone: 0330 041 6560
• Email address: newsdesk@defra.gov.uk (monitored 9am to 6pm on weekdays)

Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs
Kings Pool,
Peasholme Green,
York,
YO1 7PX

4.2 Official Statistics

Our statistical practice is regulated by the Office for Statistics Regulation (OSR). OSR sets the standards of trustworthiness, quality and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics that all producers of official statistics should adhere to. You can read about how Official Statistics in Defra comply with these standards on the Defra Statistics website.

You are welcome to contact us directly with any comments about how we meet these standards using the contact details above. Alternatively, you can contact OSR by emailing regulation@statistics.gov.uk or via the OSR website.

4.3 Future publications

The next publication is due in Autumn 2024.