What do we see?
As the left-hand chart below shows, since 2000 the amount of greenhouse gas emissions from the agricultural sector has fluctuated around 7,000kt of CO2 equivalents. Over half of these emissions (62%) come from livestock farming. Energy consumption is only responsible for 26%.The emissions from the agricultural sector in Flanders are mainly methane (CH4). In 2018, the total amount of methane emissions in Flanders was 205kt, 75% of which came from the agricultural sector. Here too, we see that livestock farming is responsible for the largest share of the emissions (94%). This share can be further broken down into emissions caused during the digestive processes of livestock (70%) and by the storage of manure (30%).
What’s the aim?
In a circular economy, we want to keep greenhouse gas emissions to a minimum as they play a significant role in global warming. In order to limit their impact, the Flemish Climate Plan includes the target that by 2030 the agricultural sector must reduce its emissions by 26% compared to 2005.
What does this indicator measure?
This indicator measures the total greenhouse gas emissions generated by the Flemish agricultural sector. It also gives more insight into the sources of these emissions.
