Sectoral Greenhouse Gas Emission Reductions In The European Union – The Role Of Agriculture

This study analyzes the role of agriculture in achieving the European Union’s climate objectives, with particular emphasis on greenhouse gas (GHG) emission reduction targets over the period 1990-2023. The study combines a review of EU legislation and strategic policy documents with a statistical analysis of GHG emission trends based on data from the European Environment Agency (EEA). The empirical analysis focuses on the dynamics and structure of emissions, with particular attention to key emission categories in the agricultural sector. The results indicate that total GHG emissions in the EU decreased by 36.6% in 2023 compared with 1990 levels, while emissions from agriculture declined by only 25.5%, making this sector the slowest in terms of emission reduction progress. In 2023, agriculture accounted for 12% of total EU GHG emissions, with livestock production responsible for 66% of sectoral emissions. The stability of the emission structure over the past three decades indicates similar mitigation efforts in both livestock and crop production, while also highlighting the challenges associated with achieving the EU’s target of a 55% emission reduction by 2030. The findings underline the need to intensify the implementation of climate-friendly agricultural practices, strengthen financial support mechanisms, and further integrate carbon sequestration measures into agricultural policy.