Scottish agriculture greenhouse gas emissions and nitrogen use: 2024-25
Greenhouse gas emission estimates for the Scottish agriculture sector, agricultural subsectors and for average Scottish farms by farm type. Nitrogen use estimates for average Scottish farms by farm type.
Official Statistics in development.
First published: 9 June 2026.
Average farm GHG emissions
Average farm emissions were stable in 2024-25
Notice
We are pausing average estimates for farm-level GHG emissions (abosolute gross emissions per hectare and enterprise emission intensity) after this release while we explore alternative data sources. We hope to improve the coverage of farm level emission estimates to better suit the needs of users. If you have any feedback or queries please fill this short feedback form or get in touch at agric.stats@gov.scot
Emissions for the average Scottish farm remained stable in 2024-25, at 4.2 tCO2e/ha.
Figure 4: Median absolute gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions (tCO2e/ha) for the average farm, 2019-20 to 2024-25.
Emissions per hectare is a useful measure for arable farms where land area is more strongly related to output. In 2024-25, emissions for the average cereal farm remained stable at 2.2 tCO2e/ha. An increase in diesel emissions was offset by a decrease in fertiliser use. Average general cropping farm emissons also remained stable at 2.1 tCO2e/ha.
Figure 5: Median absolute gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for cereal and general cropping farms, 2019-20 to 2024-25.
Emissions for the average cereal farm are more stable than those for general cropping farms. General cropping farms tend to have more livestock and more intensive crops, e.g. potatoes. They can have a different relationship between land area, output, and emissions.
Table 2: Median absolute gross greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for the average of all farms, cereal and general cropping farms, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
|
Farm type |
2023-24 tCO2e/ha |
2024-25 tCO2e/ha |
Percentage change |
|
All farms |
4.2 |
4.2 |
0% |
|
Cereal |
2.2 |
2.2 |
0% |
|
General cropping |
2.1 |
2.1 |
0% |
Average whole farm absolute gross GHG emission estimates are based on results from the Farm Business Survey (FBS). More simply referred to as average farm emissions, results are estimated by farm type and weighted to the June Agricultural Census population to represent all commercial sized farms in Scotland. Farm type is assigned based on primary output.