Ukraine's Agricultural Sector Can Help Reduce Emissions by 39 Million Tons of CO₂ Equivalent – Study
Ukraine's agricultural sector, despite its significant climate impact, has great potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. According to the study "The Role of the Agricultural Sector in Achieving Climate Neutrality" by the Green Transition Office, this potential is estimated at 39 million tons of CO₂ equivalent per year by 2030. The Green Transition Office analysis shows how Ukraine can make its agricultural sector more efficient, low-carbon, and more resilient to the effects of climate change.
According to the study, Ukrainian agriculture plays a notable role in the country's overall greenhouse gas emissions. In 2021, emissions related to agricultural activities amounted to nearly 76 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq.), which equaled approximately 23% of all emissions in Ukraine. Although in 2022, due to the full-scale war, these emissions decreased somewhat – to 57 million tons of CO₂ eq., their share of total emissions even increased to 26%, emphasizing the sector's sustained role. The main causes of these emissions are activities in crop production (for example, the use of mineral nitrogen fertilizers), livestock farming (emissions from cattle digestion and waste management), as well as soil depletion through intensive cultivation or changes in land use. Additional emissions arise from fuel and energy consumption by agricultural enterprises.
The study's goal was not simply to count emissions, but to find specific ways to reduce them. Its author, climate change and climate policy expert Mykola Shlapak, explains: "Our study clearly shows that Ukraine's agricultural sector, despite its significant climate impact, has enormous potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and increase carbon sequestration. This allows us to identify the most important directions for implementing climate technologies, many of which are not only beneficial for the environment but also economically advantageous for farmers and businesses."
Overall, the potential for reducing emissions and increasing carbon sequestration in Ukraine's agriculture by 2030 is estimated at an impressive 39 million tons of CO₂ eq. per year. The analysis shows that a significant portion of climate goals can be achieved with real financial benefits. "Some measures, such as biogas production from livestock waste or improving the efficiency of mineral nitrogen fertilizer use, are economically advantageous for businesses without additional support instruments. Significant volumes of emission reductions can also be achieved by attracting climate financing from international financial organizations or through participation in carbon markets," emphasizes Shlapak. This proves that the transition to climate neutrality in the agricultural sector is not just a requirement of our time, but also a smart investment in the future.
The study identified 22 main technologies and practices that have the greatest potential for reducing emissions. Among them are minimal soil tillage technologies, the use of cover crops, and energy utilization of plant residues and other agricultural raw materials. Also important is reducing emissions from livestock through improved manure management systems and the application of biogas installations. In crop production, significant effects come from optimizing nitrogen fertilizer use and increasing the application of organic fertilizers. Separately highlighted are measures to restore drained peatlands, partial withdrawal of land plots from agricultural production, and organic farming.
The Green Transition Office study contains detailed information about the necessary investments and costs for implementing each of these technologies, as well as the expected potential for emission reductions. This data will become a valuable tool for the Ministry of Agricultural Policy, the Ministry of Economy, and Ukraine's international partners, helping them determine priorities for financing and supporting "green" initiatives in the agricultural sector. The study results are already available to a wide range of stakeholders, contributing to further work on this strategic direction for Ukraine.
Link to the study: Download (pdf)
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