Australian National Greenhouse Accounts: Big seasons drive Ag’s extra greenhouse emissions

Agriculture produced an extra 3.2 per cent greenhouse gas emissions last year, due to an increased livestock herd and crop production.

Agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions have jumped in the past year, due to increased crop production and growing herd sizes.

In the 12 months to March this year, agriculture accounted for 17.5 per cent of Australia’s national greenhouse gas emissions inventory, increasing by 3.2 per cent, the latest Australian National Greenhouse Accounts report shows.

Following a series of strong seasons, agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions have returned to pre-drought levels as a result of increasing sheep and cattle populations and crop production, the Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water report said.

“Favourable conditions brought record crop production in 2021-22, with an associated increase in emissions from crop residues and fertiliser use,” the report said.

“For many crops this is expected to continue into 2022-23. Herd and flock sizes have continued to grow, and are forecast to recover to pre-drought levels.”

Emissions for the year to March were estimated to be 465.9 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent, a 0.1 per cent increase year on year.

Overall, there has been a 24.4 per cent decrease in emissions for the year to June 2005, with Australia targeting a 43 per cent reduction by 2030, under the Paris Agreement.

Climate Change and Energy Minister Chris Bowen said the report showed the need for more decarbonisation.

“Our reforms to the safeguard mechanism, which only came into effect in July and aren’t included in this inventory update, will deliver over 200 million tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions to 2030 – equivalent of taking two-thirds of the nation’s cars off the road,” Mr Bowen said in a statement.

“We are also working with industry, the climate movement, experts, unions and the community to develop sectoral decarbonisation plans, including for electricity and transport.”

Agriculture’s greenhouse gas emissions were not addressed by Mr Bowen.