In 2021, the world emitted 48.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2e), and according to World Bank data, the three largest emitters were China, the United States, and India. In terms of emissions by sector, the main contributor was the energy sector, which accounted for 75% of global emissions, while the agricultural sector accounted for 11% of the total.
In Brazil, land-use change is the largest emitter, followed by agricultural activities. However, between 2010 and 2021, except for land-use change, all sectors saw increased their emissions.
In the country, which accounts for 4% of the global amount, the emissions profile differs from developed countries: the energy sector accounts for 22% of total emissions, while land-use change and agriculture represent 36% and 31%, respectively.
These data show that, on an international scale, ambitious targets need to be set to reduce emissions in the energy sector, which still heavily relies on fossil fuels.
Brazil has shown potential in building an energy mix based on clean sources, with the agricultural sector playing a crucial role in this process. In 2021, 30.8% of Brazil’s energy came from sources related to that sector, mainly sugarcane-derived products. The Renovabio program, which promotes the use of biofuels, was essential to this transition.
Regarding agricultural emissions, Brazil’s 4th National Communication to the UNFCCC identified seven of its main sources, with enteric fermentation being the largest, accounting for 57.9% of the sector’s emissions in 2020. However, emission mitigation plans have shown positive results. Between 2005 and 2020, enteric fermentation saw a 2.2% reduction in emissions, even with a 5.3% increase in the cattle herd during the same period.
Moreover, between 2005 and 2020, the agricultural sector recorded the smallest increase in emissions in Brazil, excluding land-use change, with a rise of only 7%, despite significant growth in Gross Production Value. The waste sector saw the largest increase, 36%, followed by the energy (24%) and industry (23%) sectors.
These results show that Brazilian agriculture has effectively controlled emission growth, even amid significant productivity gains. The implementation of the Forest Code, one of the most strict environmental laws in the world, and the launching of programs such as ABC+, which promotes low-carbon agricultural practices, were crucial for this progress.
To ensure continued progress in reducing emissions in the agricultural sector, it is essential to ensure the Forest Code adequate enforcement and expand the implementation of sustainable practices fostered by the ABC+ Plan. Additionally, improving national emissions inventories is necessary so that the efforts of rural producers can be accurately measured and reported, contributing more effectively to Brazil’s transition toward a low-carbon economy.
Amanda Roza is a Technical Sustainability and Market Intelligence Advisor at the Brazilian National Confederation of Agriculture and Livestock (CNA)