Introduction

About GHG emissions in agriculture

There are three main GHGs produced in agriculture. These are carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide. Total emissions are presented in carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e) units. This takes into account the different effects that the different gases have on climate change, known as their global warming potential (GWP). Over a 100-year period, methane’s GWP is considered to be 28 times stronger than that of carbon dioxide, while nitrous oxide’s GWP is considered to be 265 times stronger than carbon dioxide.

It is important to note that agriculture and food production rely on natural processes. This means that agricultural activity will always cause a degree of GHG emissions. Emissions will also vary widely between different agricultural produce.

About these statistics

This report is based on estimates of total greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions for Scottish agriculture, as reported in the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics 2024 and average emission and nitrogen use estimates from the Farm Business Survey (FBS). The report includes:

• Results for total Scottish agriculture GHG emissions split by agricultural subsector (e.g. suckler beef, arable, dairy etc). These subsectors align more closely with agricultural activity and provide a different breakdown to the categories used in the Scottish Greenhouse Gas Statistics. Subsector estimates are produced using a methodology developed by SRUC.
• Average whole farm emissions of different farm types (e.g. lowland cattle and sheep, general cropping, LFA (less favoured area) sheep etc). Farms are assigned to a farm type based on their primary output. The results also show the variation in emissions within each farm type. This is based on FBS data and is weighted to cover commercial sized farms in Scotland.
• Average emission intensity of specific agricultural outputs of different farm types. For example, estimates for the average emission intensity of a kg deadweight (dwt) of beef in an LFA cattle farm, a lowland cattle and sheep farm and an LFA cattle and sheep farm. Agricultural outputs are the products of farm enterprises – agricultural activities within a farm business. Estimates are not weighted because they are based on a sub-sample of data.
• Average farm level nitrogen use across different farm types. Estimates are weighted using the same methodology described above.
• Analysis of whole farm emissions, emission intensity of agricultural outputs and nitrogen use are based on farms in the FBS. This is a survey of around 400 commercial farms (whose standard output exceeds around £20,000). The sample excludes farm types not in receipt of support payments (such as pigs, poultry and horticulture). Some results are weighted to better reflect the wider population. Some results are presented unweighted because they are based on sub-samples of data. Where the sample sizes are small, data can be more highly variable and have a wider margin of uncertainty.

Several data sources have been combined to provide a broad view of emissions and nitrogen use from the agriculture sector. Information about the different data sources and coverage of the estimates in the report is provided in Data and methodology.

Methodology differences mean average farm estimates are not directly comparable with national estimates or with other results published on farm income. Methods differ in their coverage of the industry and emissions.

Average farm estimates from the FBS are estimated using a carbon footprint calculator tool (Agrecalc). It is based on the life cycle assessment (LCA) framework for estimating emissions from products and processes. Different results may be obtained using different carbon calculators or different methods, for example using an inventory approach.

Estimates cover similar but different time periods. Emissions for the agriculture sector and its subsectors are based on a calendar year, whilst farm-level results are based on an accounting year.

More information is available in the methodology.

An Official Statistics in development publication for Scotland

These statistics are official statistics in development. Official statistics in development may be new or existing statistics, and will be tested with users, in line with the standards of trustworthiness, quality, and value in the Code of Practice for Statistics.

Scottish Government statistics are 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.