Agriculture

Emissions from Agriculture reached a peak in 1998 and have decreased to below their 1990 level since 2004, reflecting long-term decline in livestock populations and in fertiliser use due to the Common Agricultural Policy. Emissions from Agriculture in 2012 are now 8.6% below their 1990 levels, although the increase in agriculture emissions during 2012 represents the first significant increase since 1999. Agriculture remains the single largest contributor to the overall emissions at 32.1% of the total. Emissions are 3.0% higher (0.55 Mt CO2eq) in 2012 compared with 2011 levels. Increases in emissions are due to a 4.4% increase in cattle numbers and a 9.0% increase in sheep numbers in the same period (EPA, 2013).