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.
Enterprise GHG emission intensity
Notice
We are pausing average estimates for farm-level GHG emissions (abosolute gross emissions per hectare and enterprise emission intensity) following 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
Emission intensities (kgCO2e/kg product) measure the carbon footprint of a farm enterprise (activity). A lower emission intensity can indicate a more efficient process used to produce a specific output.
Average emission intensity estimates are based on results from the Farm Business Survey (FBS). The estimates are not weighted to the 2024 June Agricultural Census population. This means that results do not represent the population, but indicate average emissions from specific farm activities by a sample of farms in Scotland.
Beef emission intensity
Table 3: Average cattle livestock farm beef emission intensities (kgCO2e/kg dwt) in the Farm Business Survey sample, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
|
Farm type |
2023-24 kg CO2e/kg dwt |
2024-25 kg CO2e/kg dwt |
Percentage change |
|
LFA cattle |
31.8 |
30.7 |
-3% |
|
LFA cattle and sheep |
32.8 |
33.4 |
2% |
|
Lowland cattle and sheep |
30.9 |
29.2 |
-6% |
In 2024-25 there was little variation between average beef emission intensity estimates for cattle livestock farm types in the FBS. Compared with the previous year, beef emission intensities remained stable.
Livestock emission intensities can indicate how efficient the conversion of feedstuffs into liveweight gains is. Breeding selection, animal health and dietary management are factors that can influence the rate of enteric fermentation. Enteric fermentation is the major source of emissions from livestock enterprises.
Sheep emission intensity
Table 4: Average sheep livestock farm sheep emission intensities (kgCO2e/kg dwt) in the Farm Business Survey sample, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
|
Farm type |
2023-24 kg CO2e/kg dwt |
2024-25 kg CO2e/kg dwt |
Percentage change |
|
LFA sheep |
36.6 |
38.4 |
5% |
|
LFA cattle and sheep |
32.9 |
32.4 |
-2% |
|
Lowland cattle and sheep |
26.9 |
32.1 |
19% |
In 2024-25, LFA sheep farms in the FBS sample had the highest average sheep emission intensity at 38.4 kgCO2e/kg dwt, an increase of 5% from 2023-24. While sheep output was similar between LFA and lowland sheep farms, lowland farms had considerably smaller average herd sizes. This may indicate a higher productivity on lowland farms.
Milk emission intensity
Table 5: Average dairy farm milk emission intensities (kgCO2e/kg FPC milk) in the Farm Business Survey sample, 2023-24 and 2024-25.
|
Farm type |
2023-24 kg CO2e/kg FPC milk |
2024-25 kg CO2e/kg FPC milk |
Percentage change |
|
Dairy |
1.3 |
1.3 |
0% |
Average milk emission intensity on dairy farms in the FBS remained stable at 1.3 kgCO2e/kg FPC milk in 2024-25.
Emissions from methane and nitrous oxide rose in 2024-25 while feed emissions decreased. Milk output remained stable in 2024-25. Milk emission intensities are also influenced by farm management practices such as feed efficiency, age at first calving and whether herds are grazing, housed or mixed.
Cereals emission intensity
Table 6: Average arable farm cereal emission intensities (kgCO2e/tonne crop) in the Farm Business Survey sample 2023-24 and 2024-25.
|
Farm type |
2023-24 kg CO2e/ tonne crop |
2024-25 kg CO2e/ tonne crop |
Percentage change |
|
Cereal |
258 |
293 |
14% |
|
General cropping |
244 |
258 |
6% |
In 2024-25 cereal farms average cereals emission intensity increased by 14% to 293 kgCO2e/ tonne crop. Average cereals emission intensity for general cropping farms rose by 6% to 258 kgCO2e/tonne crop.
The rise in average cereals emission intensities was driven partly by increased diesel emissions. Fertiliser emissions also rose on general cropping farms although this varied widely between farms.