Agriculture emissions fall to lowest levels in 10 years

WASHINGTON – America’s farmers and ranchers are leading the way in greenhouse gas emission reduction through voluntary conservation efforts and market-based incentives.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) released the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 1990-2022 . The report shows American agriculture reduced emissions by almost 2% from 2021 to 2022, the largest decrease of any economic sector.

American Farm Bureau Federation economists analyzed the data in the latest Market Intel , noting, “U.S. agriculture represents just under 10% of total U.S. emissions when compared to other economic sectors… By EPA’s own methodology, emissions from agriculture totaled 634 million metric tons in CO2 equivalents, or 9.99% of all U.S. emissions, during 2022. This represents a decrease of 1.8%, or 12 million metric tons, from 2021… 2022 marks the lowest U.S. agricultural greenhouse gas emissions since 2012.”

“The latest numbers demonstrate farmers’ and ranchers’ commitment to growing the food and fiber America’s families rely on while improving the land, air and water, a benefit to the farm and the climate,” said AFBF President Zippy Duvall. “The drop in agricultural emissions highlights the success and importance of voluntary and market-based programs that support farmer efforts in sustainable agriculture practices. The latest numbers should also serve as inspiration to lawmakers who can build on this progress by passing a farm bill, which not only provides a safety net for farmers, but also helps them meet sustainability goals."

Other highlights specific to the agricultural sector in the Market Intel include:

12-million-metric-ton reduction in greenhouse gas emissions;

2.1% reduction in livestock GHG emissions;

1.7% reduction in crop cultivation emissions; and

1.2% reduction in fuel combustion emissions.

Read the full Market Intel here .