Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Sources of Greenhouse Gas Emissions

Overview

Electricity

Transportation

Industry

Commercial/
Residential

Agriculture

Land Use/
Forestry

Overview
 Total Emissions in 2015 =
6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent

* Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the United States is a net sink and offsets
approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas emissions, not included in total above. All
emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

Greenhouse gases trap heat and make the planet warmer. Human activities
are responsible for almost all of the increase in greenhouse gases in the
atmosphere over the last 150 years.1 The largest source of greenhouse gas
emissions from human activities in the United States is from burning fossil
fuels for electricity, heat, and transportation.
EPA tracks total U.S. emissions by publishing the Inventory of U.S.
Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks. This annual report estimates the total
national greenhouse gas emissions and removals associated with human
activities across the United States.
The primary sources of greenhouse gas emissions in the United States are:

Electricity production (29 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas emissions)

Electricity production generates the largest share of greenhouse gas
 emissions. Approximately 67 percent of our electricity comes from burning
fossil fuels, mostly coal and natural gas.2

Transportation (27 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas emissions)

Greenhouse gas emissions from transportation primarily come from burning
fossil fuel for our cars, trucks, ships, trains, and planes. Over 90 percent of the
fuel used for transportation is petroleum based, which includes gasoline and
diesel.3

Industry (21 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas emissions) Greenhouse

gas emissions from industry primarily come from burning fossil fuels for
energy, as well as greenhouse gas emissions from certain chemical reactions
necessary to produce goods from raw materials.

Commercial and Residential (12 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas

emissions) Greenhouse gas emissions from businesses and homes arise
primarily from fossil fuels burned for heat, the use of certain products that
contain greenhouse gases, and the handling of waste.

Agriculture (9 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas emissions)

Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture come from livestock such as
cows, agricultural soils, and rice production.

Land Use and Forestry (offset of 11.8 percent of 2015 greenhouse gas
emissions) Land areas can act as a sink (absorbing CO2 from the
atmosphere) or a source of greenhouse gas emissions. In the United States,
since 1990, managed forests and other lands have absorbed more CO2 from
the atmosphere than they emit.

Emissions and Trends

Since 1990, U.S. greenhouse gas emissions have increased by about 4

percent. From year to year, emissions can rise and fall due to changes in the
economy, the price of fuel, and other factors. In 2015, U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions decreased compared to 2014 levels. This decrease was largely
driven by a decrease in emissions from fossil fuel combustion, which was a
result of multiple factors including substitution from coal to natural gas
consumption in the electric power sector; warmer winter conditions that
reduced demand for heating fuel in the residential and commercial sectors;
and a slight decrease in electricity demand.

Electricity Sector Emissions

Total Emissions in 2015 = 6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent

* Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the United States is a net sink and offsets
approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas emissions, not included in total above. All
emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

The Electricity sector involves the generation, transmission, and distribution of

electricity. Carbon dioxide (CO2) makes up the vast majority of greenhouse gas
emissions from the sector, but smaller amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous
oxide (N2O) are also emitted. These gases are released during the combustion
of fossil fuels, such as coal, oil, and natural gas, to produce electricity. Less
than 1 percent of greenhouse gas emissions from the sector come from sulfur
hexafluoride (SF6), an insulating chemical used in electricity transmission and
distribution equipment.

Greenhouse Gas Emissions in the Electricity Sector by Fuel Source

Coal combustion is generally more carbon intensive than burning natural gas
or petroleum for electricity. Although coal accounted for about 70 percent of
CO2 emissions from the sector, it represented only about 34 percent of the
electricity generated in the United States in 2015. Another 32 percent of
electricity generated in 2015 was generated using natural gas, an increase
relative to 2014. Petroleum accounted for less than 1 percent of electricity
generation in 2015. The remaining generation in 2015 came from non-fossil
fuel sources including nuclear (about 20 percent) and renewable sources
(about 13 percent), which include hydroelectricity, biomass, wind, and
solar.1 These other sources usually release fewer greenhouse gas emissions
than fossil fuel combustion, if any emissions at all.

Emissions and Trends

In 2015, the electricity sector was the largest source of U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions, accounting for about 29 percent of the U.S. total. Greenhouse gas
emissions from electricity have increased by about 4 percent since 1990 as
electricity demand has grown and fossil fuels have remained the dominant
source for generation.
All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Greenhouse Gas Emissions by Electricity End-Use

 All emission estimates from
the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Electricity is consumed by other sectorsin homes, businesses, and factories.

Therefore, it is possible to attribute the greenhouse gas emissions from
electricity production to the sectors that use the electricity. Looking at
greenhouse gas emissions by end-use sector can help us understand energy
demand across sectors and changes in energy use over time.

When emissions from electricity are allocated to the end-use sector, industrial
activities account for a much larger share of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions.
Emissions from commercial and residential buildings also increase
substantially when emissions from electricity are included, due to their
relatively large share of electricity consumption (e.g., lighting and appliances).

Reducing Emissions from Electricity

There are a variety of opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
associated with electricity generation, transmission, and distribution. The table
shown below categorizes these opportunities and provides examples. For a
more comprehensive list, see Chapter 7 of the Contribution of Working Group
III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change.

Example Reduction Opportunities for the Electricity Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

Increased Increasing efficiency

Efficiency of of existing power Converting a
conventional coal-powered
Power Plants plants by using
steam turbine into an
and Fuel advanced
advanced turbine that uses
Switching technologies or
pulverized coal.
substituting fuels that
combust more Converting a coal-
efficiently. powered turbine into a
natural gas-powered turbine.

Converting a single-
cycle turbine into a
combined-cycle turbine.

Renewable Using renewable Increasing the share of total

Energy energy sources rather electricity generated from
than fossil fuel to wind, solar, hydro, and
generate electricity. geothermal sources and
from certain biofuel sources.

Increased Reducing energy EPA's ENERGY

 Example Reduction Opportunities for the Electricity Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

Energy demand by increasing STAR partners removed

Efficiency (end- efficiency and over 300 million metric tons
use) conservation in of greenhouse gases in
homes, businesses, 2014 alone, and saved
and industry. consumers and businesses
over $34 billion on their utility
bills.

Nuclear Energy Generating electricity Building nuclear power

from nuclear plants as fossil fuel power
processes rather than plants are retired.
the combustion of
fossil fuels.

Carbon Capture Capturing CO2 as a Capturing CO2 from the

Sequestration byproduct of fossil
and Storage fuel combustion
(CCS) before it enters the
atmosphere and then
transferring the
CO2 to a long-term
storage area, such as
an underground
geologic formation.
stacks of a coal-fired power
plant, and then transferring
the CO2 via pipeline to a
nearby abandoned oil field
where the CO2 is injected
underground. Learn more
about CCS.

Reference

1. U.S. Energy Information Administration (2016). Electricity Explained - Basics.

Transportation Sector Emissions

Total Emissions in 2015 =

6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent

* Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the United States is a net sink and offsets
approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas emissions, not included in total above. All
emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Transportation sector includes the movement of
people and goods by cars, trucks, trains, ships, airplanes, and other vehicles.
The majority of greenhouse gas emissions from transportation are carbon
dioxide (CO2) emissions resulting from the combustion of petroleum-based
products, like gasoline, in internal combustion engines. The largest sources of
transportation-related greenhouse gas emissions include passenger cars and
light-duty trucks, including sport utility vehicles, pickup trucks, and minivans.
These sources account for over half of the emissions from the sector. The
remainder of greenhouse gas emissions comes from other modes of
transportation, including freight trucks, commercial aircraft, ships, boats, and
trains, as well as pipelines and lubricants.
 Relatively small amounts of methane (CH4) and nitrous oxide (N2O) are
emitted during fuel combustion. In addition, a small amount
of hydrofluorocarbon (HFC) emissions are included in the Transportation
sector. These emissions result from the use of mobile air conditioners and
refrigerated transport.
Emissions and Trends
Related Links

Carbon Pollution from Transportation

EPA and U.S. DOE Fuel Economy

SmartWay

On The Road

Smart Growth

Renewable Fuel Standard

U.S. Inventory's section on Fossil Fuel Combustion

In 2015, greenhouse gas emissions from transportation accounted for about

27 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it the second
largest contributor of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions after the Electricity
sector. In terms of the overall trend, from 1990 to 2015, total transportation
emissions increased due, in large part, to increased demand for travel. The
number of vehicle miles traveled (VMT) by light-duty motor vehicles
(passenger cars and light-duty trucks) increased by approximately 40 percent
from 1990 to 2015, as a result of a confluence of factors including population
growth, economic growth, urban sprawl, and periods of low fuel prices.
Between 1990 and 2004, average fuel economy among new vehicles sold
annually declined, as sales of light-duty trucks increased. Starting in 2005,
average new vehicle fuel economy began to increase while light-duty VMT
grew only modestly for much of the period. Average new vehicle fuel economy
has improved almost every year since 2005, and the truck share is about 43
percent of new vehicles in model year 2015.
Learn more about Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Transportation.
Emissions involved in the consumption of electricity for transportation activities are included above,
but not shown separately (as was done for other sectors). These indirect emissions are negligible,
accounting for less than 1 percent of the total emissions shown in the graph.

It is important to note that there was a change in methods between 2014 and 2015 used to estimate
gasoline consumption in the transportation sector. The change does not impact total U.S. gasoline
consumption. It mainly results in a shift in gasoline consumption from the transportation sector to
industrial and commercial sectors for 2015. In the absence of this change, transportation greenhouse
gas emissions would likely have been higher in 2015. The change is discussed further in the Energy
chapter in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.

All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Reducing Emissions from
Transportation
There are a variety of opportunities to reduce greenhouse gas emissions
associated with transportation. The table shown below categorizes these
opportunities and provides examples. For a more comprehensive list,
see Chapter 8 of the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT
EPA's light-duty vehicle greenhouse gas rules will save consumers $1.7 trillion
at the pump by 2025, and eliminate 6 billion metric tons of greenhouse
gas pollution.

Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Transportation

Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

Fuel Switching Using fuels that emit less

CO2 than fuels currently Using public
being used. Alternative buses that are fueled
sources can include biofuels; by compressed
hydrogen; electricity from natural gas rather
renewable sources, such as than gasoline or
wind and solar; or fossil fuels diesel.
that are less CO2-intensive
Using electric
than the fuels that they
or hybrid
replace.
automobiles,
Learn more about Alternative
provided that the
and Renewable Fuels.
energy is generated
from lower-carbon or
non-fossil fuels.

Using
renewable fuels such
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Transportation
Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

as low-carbon
biofuels.

Improving Fuel Using advanced

Efficiency with technologies, design, and Developing
Advanced materials to develop more advanced vehicle
Design, fuel-efficient vehicles. technologies such as
Materials, and hybrid vehicles and
Technologies Learn about EPA's vehicle electric vehicles, that
greenhouse gas rules. can store energy
from braking and use
it for power later.

Reducing the
weight of materials
used to build
vehicles.

Reducing the
aerodynamic
resistance of vehicles
through better shape
design.

Improving Adopting practices that

Operating minimize fuel use. Reducing the
Practices Improving driving practices average taxi time for
and vehicle maintenance.
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Transportation
Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

Learn about how the freight

transportation industry can aircraft.
reduce emissions through
Driving
EPA's SmartWay Program.
sensibly (avoiding
rapid acceleration
and braking,
observing the speed
limit).

Reducing
engine-idling.

Improved
voyage planning for
ships, such as
through improved
weather routing, to
increase fuel
efficiency.

Reducing Travel Employing urban planning to

Demand reduce the number of miles Building public
that people drive each day. transportation,
Learn about EPA's Smart sidewalks, and bike
Growth Program. paths to increase
lower-emission
Reducing the need for transportation
driving through travel choices.
efficiency measures such as
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Transportation
Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Examples
Reduced

commuter, biking, and

pedestrian programs.
See a list of links to state,
local, and regional travel-
efficiency programs.
Zoning for
mixed use areas, so
that residences,
schools, stores, and
businesses are close
together, reducing
the need for driving.

Industry Sector Emissions

 Total Emissions in 2015 =
6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the
United States is a net sink and offsets approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas
emissions, not included in total above. All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse
Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

Larger image to save or print.The Industry sector produces the goods and raw
materials we use every day. The greenhouse gases emitted during industrial
production are split into two categories: direct emissions that are produced at
the facility, and indirect emissions that occur off site, but are associated with
the facility's use of energy.

Direct emissions are produced by burning fuel for power or heat, through
chemical reactions, and from leaks from industrial processes or equipment.
Most direct emissions come from the consumption of fossil fuels for energy. A
smaller amount, roughly a third, come from leaks from natural gas and
petroleum systems, the use of fuels in production (e.g., petroleum products
used to make plastics), and chemical reactions during the production of
chemicals, iron and steel, and cement.
Indirect emissions are produced by burning fossil fuel at a power plant to
make electricity, which is then used by an industrial facility to power industrial
buildings and machinery.

More information about facility-level emissions from large industrial sources is

available through EPA's Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program's data
publication tool. National-level information about emissions from industry as a
whole can be found in the sections on Fossil Fuel Combustion and the
Industrial Processes chapter in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas
Emissions and Sinks.

Emissions and Trends

In 2015, direct industrial greenhouse gas emissions accounted for
approximately 21 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, making it
the third largest contributor to U.S. greenhouse gas emissions, after
the Electricity and Transportation sectors. If both direct and indirect emissions
associated with electricity use are included, industry's share of total U.S.
greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 was 29 percent, making it the largest
contributor of greenhouse gases of any sector. Greenhouse gas emissions
from industry have declined by almost 13 percent since 1990, while emissions
from most other sectors have increased.
All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Reducing Emissions from Industry

There are a wide variety of industrial activities that cause greenhouse

gas emissions, and many opportunities to reduce them. The table shown
below provides some examples of opportunities for industry to reduce
emissions. For a more comprehensive list, see Chapter 10 of the Contribution
of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental
Panel on Climate Change. EXIT
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities for the Industry Sector
Type How Emissions Are Reduced
Energy Upgrading to more efficient
Efficiency industrial technology.
EPA's ENERGY
STAR program helps
industries become more
energy-efficient.
Fuel Switching to fuels that result in
Switching less CO2 emissions but the
same amount of energy, when
combusted.
Recycling Producing industrial products
from materials that are recycled
or renewable, rather than
producing new products from
raw materials.
Training
and Making companies and workers
Awareness aware of the steps to reduce or
prevent emissions leaks from
equipment.
EPA has a variety of voluntary
programs that provide
resources for training and other
steps for reducing emissions.
EPA supports programs for
Examples
Identifying the ways
that manufacturers(87
pp, 1 M, About PDF) can
use less energy to light
and heat factories or to
run equipment.
Using natural gas
instead of coal to run
machinery.
Using scrap steel and
scrap aluminum as
opposed to smelting
new aluminum or
forging new steel.
Instituting handling
policies and procedures
for perfluorocarbons
(PFCs),
hydrofluorocarbons
(HFCs), and sulfur
hexafluoride (SF6) that
reduce occurrences of
accidental releases and
leaks from containers
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities for the Industry Sector

Type How Emissions Are Reduced Examples

and equipment.
the aluminum, semiconductor,
and magnesium industries.

All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.
Commercial and Residential Sector
Emissions
 Total Emissions in 2015 =
6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the
United States is a net sink and offsets approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas
emissions, not included in total above. All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse
Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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The residential and commercial sectors include all homes and commercial
businesses (excluding agricultural and industrial activities). Greenhouse gas
emissions from this sector come from direct emissions including fossil fuel
combustion for heating and cooking needs, management of waste and
wastewater, and leaks from refrigerants in homes and businesses as well
as indirect emissions that occur offsite but are associated with use of
electricity consumed by homes and businesses.

Direct emissions are produced from residential and commercial activities in a

variety of ways:
 Combustion of natural gas and petroleum products for heating and
cooking needs emits carbon dioxide (CO2), methane (CH4), and nitrous oxide
(N2O). Emissions from natural gas consumption represent about 76 percent of
the direct fossil fuel CO2emissions from the residential and commercial
sectors. Coal consumption is a minor component of energy use in both of
these sectors.

Organic waste sent to landfills emits CH4.

Wastewater treatment plants emit CH4 and N2O.

Fluorinated gases (mainly hydrofluorocarbons, or HFCs) used in air

conditioning and refrigeration systems can be released during servicing or
from leaking equipment.

Indirect emissions are produced by burning fossil fuel at a power plant to

make electricity, which is then used in residential and commercial activities
such as lighting and for appliances.

More national-level information about emissions from the residential and

commercial sectors can be found in the U.S. Inventory's Energy and Trends
chapters.

Emissions and Trends

In 2015, direct greenhouse gas emissions from homes and businesses

accounted for approximately 12 percent of total U.S. greenhouse
gas emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from homes and businesses have
generally been increasing since 1990, but vary from year to year based on
short-term fluctuations in energy consumption caused by weather conditions.
Total residential and commercial greenhouse gas emissions in 2015 have
increased by about 14 percent since 1990. Greenhouse gas emissions from
on-site energy combustion in homes and businesses have increased by about
6 percent since 1990. Additionally, indirect emissions from electricity use by
homes and businesses have increased by 19 percent since 1990, due to
increasing electricity consumption for lighting, heating, air conditioning, and
appliances.

All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Reducing Emissions from Homes and

Businesses
The table shown below provides some examples of opportunities to reduce
emissions from homes and businesses. For a more comprehensive list of
options and a detailed assessment of how each option affects different gases,
see Chapter 9 and Chapter 12 of the Contribution of Working Group III to the
Fifth Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate
Change. EXIT
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Residential and
Commercial Sector

How
Type Emissions Examples
Are Reduced

Homes and Reducing Homes and commercial buildings use

Commercial energy use large amounts of energy for heating,
Buildings through cooling, lighting, and other functions.
energy "Green building" techniques and
efficiency. retrofits can allow new and existing
buildings to use less energy to
accomplish the same functions,
leading to fewer greenhouse gas
emissions. Techniques to improve
building energy efficiency include
better insulation; more energy-
efficient heating, cooling, ventilation,
and refrigeration systems; efficient
fluorescent lighting; passive heating
and lighting to take advantage of
sunlight; and the purchase of energy-
efficient appliances and electronics.
Learn more about ENERGY STAR.

Wastewater Making water Drinking water and wastewater

Treatment and systems account for approximately 3
wastewater percent to 4 percent of energy use in
systems more the United States. Studies estimate
energy- potential savings of 15 percent to 30
efficient. percent that are "readily achievable"
in water and wastewater plants.1
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Residential and
Commercial Sector

How
Type Emissions Examples
Are Reduced

Learn more about Energy Efficiency

for Water and Wastewater Utilities.

Waste Reducing solid Landfill gas is the natural byproduct of

Management waste sent to the decomposition of solid waste in
landfills. landfills. It primarily consists of
Capturing and CO2 and CH4.
using methane Well established, low-cost methods to
produced in reduce greenhouse gases from
current consumer waste exist, including
landfills. recycling programs, waste reduction
programs, and landfill methane
capture programs.

Learn about EPA's waste

reduction and resource conservation
efforts.

Learn more about climate

change and waste.

Learn about EPA's Landfill

Methane Outreach Program, which
promotes the recovery and use of
landfill gas.
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the Residential and
Commercial Sector

How
Type Emissions Examples
Are Reduced

Refrigeration Reducing Commonly used refrigerants include

leakage from ozone-depleting
refrigeration hydrochlorofluorocarbon (HCFC)
equipment. refrigerants, often HCFC-22, and
Using blends consisting entirely or primarily
refrigerants of hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), both of
with lower which are potent greenhouse gases.
global In recent years there have been
warming several advancements in refrigeration
potentials. technology that can help food retailers
reduce both refrigerant charges and
refrigerant emissions.
Learn more about EPA's GreenChill
Program to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions from commercial
refrigerators.

References
1
EPA (2012). Energy Efficiency for Water and Wastewater Utilities. Accessed 03/13/2012

Agriculture Sector Emissions

 Total Emissions in 2015 =
6,587 Million Metric Tons of CO2 equivalent

Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry in the United States is a net sink and offsets
approximately 11.8 percent of these greenhouse gas emissions, not included in total above. All
emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

Larger image to save or print.Agricultural

activities crop and livestock production for
food contribute to emissions in a variety of ways:

Various management practices on agricultural soils can lead to

increased availability of nitrogen in the soil and result in emissions of nitrous
oxide (N2O). Specific activities that contribute to N2O emissions from
agricultural lands include the application of synthetic and organic fertilizers,
the growth of nitrogen-fixing crops, the drainage of organic soil, and irrigation
practices. Management of agricultural soils accounts for over half of the
emissions from the Agriculture economic sector.*

Livestock, especially ruminants such as cattle, produce methane

(CH4) as part of their normal digestive processes. This process is called
 enteric fermentation, and it represents almost one third of the emissions from
the Agriculture economic sector.

The way in which manure from livestock is managed also contributes to

CH4 and N2O emissions. Different manure treatment and storage methods
affect how much of these greenhouse gases are produced. Manure
management accounts for about 15 percent of the total greenhouse gas
emissions from the Agriculture economic sector in the United States.

Smaller sources of agricultural emissions include rice cultivation, which

produces CH4, and burning crop residues, which produces CH4 and N2O.

More national-level information about emissions from agriculture can be found

in the agriculture chapter in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions
and Sinks.
* Management of agricultural soils can also lead to emissions or sequestration
of carbon dioxide (CO2). However, these emissions are included under
the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry sector.
Emissions and Trends
In 2015, greenhouse gas emissions from the agriculture economic sector
accounted for approximately 9 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas
emissions. Greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture have increased by
approximately 8 percent since 1990. One driver for this increase has been the
64 percent growth in combined CH4 and N2O emissions from livestock manure
management systems, reflecting the increased use of emission-intensive liquid
systems over this time period. Emissions from other agricultural sources have
either remained flat or changed by a relatively small amount since 1990.
All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Reducing Emissions from Agriculture

The table shown below provides some examples of opportunities to reduce
emissions from agriculture. For a more comprehensive list of options and a
detailed assessment of how each option affects different gases, see Chapter
11 of the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of
the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT

Examples of Reduction Opportunities for the Agriculture Sector

How Emissions
Type Examples
Are Reduced

Land and Adjusting the

Crop methods for Fertilizing crops with the
Management managing land and precise amount of nitrogen
growing crops. required for crop production,
Examples of Reduction Opportunities for the Agriculture Sector

How Emissions
Type Examples
Are Reduced

since over-application of
nitrogen can lead to higher N2O
emissions without enhancing crop
production.

Draining water from

wetland rice soils during the
growing season to reduce
CH4 emissions.

Livestock Adjusting feeding

Management practices and other Improving pasture quality to
management increase animal productivity,
methods to reduce which can reduce the amount of
the amount of CH4 emitted per unit of animal
CH4 resulting from product. Also, increased
enteric productivity in livestock can be
fermentation. introduced through improved
breeding practices.

Manure
Management Controlling Handling manure as a solid
the way in which or depositing it on pasture rather
manure than storing it in a liquid-based
decomposes to system such as a lagoon. This
reduce N2O and would likely reduce CH4 emissions
CH4emissions. but may increase N2O emissions.

Storing manure in
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities for the Agriculture Sector

How Emissions
Type Examples
Are Reduced

Capturing anaerobic containment areas to

CH4 from manure maximize CH4 production and
decomposition to then capturing the CH4 to use as
produce renewable an energy substitute for fossil
energy. fuels.

For more information, see

EPA's AgSTAR Program, a
voluntary outreach and education
program that promotes recovery
and use of methane from animal
manure.

Land Use, Land-Use Change, and

Forestry Sector Emissions

Plants absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere as they grow, and
they store some of this carbon throughout their lifetime. Soils can also store
some of the carbon from these plants depending on how the soil is managed
and other environmental conditions (e.g., climate). This storage of carbon in
plants and soils is called biological carbon sequestration. Because biological
sequestration takes CO2 out of the atmosphere, it is also called a greenhouse
gas "sink."
Emissions or sequestration of CO2 can occur as land uses change. Carbon
dioxide is exchanged between the atmosphere and the plants and soils on
land, for example, as cropland is converted into grassland, as new lands are
cultivated and become cropland, or as forests grow. In addition, using
biological feedstocks (such as energy crops or wood) for purposes such as
 electricity generation, as inputs to processes that create liquid fuels, or as
building materials can lead to emissions or sequestration.
In the United States overall, since 1990, land use, land-use change, and
forestry activities have resulted in more removal of CO2 from the atmosphere
than emissions. Because of this, the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and
Forestry (LULUCF) sector in the United States is considered a net sink, rather
than a source, of CO2 over this time-period. In many areas of the world, the
opposite is true, particularly in countries where large areas of forest land are
cleared, often for conversion to agricultural purposes or for settlements. In
these situations, the LULUCF sector can be a net source of greenhouse gas
emissions.

More national-level information about land use, land-use change, and

forestry is available from the Land Use, Land-Use Change, and Forestry
chapter in the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks.

For more information about global emissions from land use and forestry
activities, see EPA's Global Greenhouse Gas emissions page and
the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT

Emissions and Trends

In 2015, the net CO2 removed from the atmosphere from the LULUCF sector
offset about 12 percent of total U.S. greenhouse gas emissions. Total carbon
sequestration in the LULUCF sector decreased by approximately 6 percent
between 1990 and 2015. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the
rate of net carbon accumulation in forests and an increase in emissions from
land converted to settlements.
*Note: The LULUCF sector is a net "sink" of emissions in the United States (e.g., more greenhouse
gas emissions are sequestered than emitted from land use activities), so net greenhouse gas
emissions from LULUCF are negative.

All emission estimates from the Inventory of U.S. Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Sinks: 19902015.

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Reducing Emissions and Enhancing

Sinks from Land Use, Land-Use
Change, and Forestry
In the LULUCF sector, opportunities exist to reduce emissions and increase
the potential to sequester carbon from the atmosphere by enhancing sinks.
The table shown below provides some examples of opportunities for both
reducing emissions and enhancing sinks. For a more comprehensive list,
see Chapter 11 of the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth
Assessment Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT
 Examples of Reduction Opportunities in the LULUCF Sector

How Emissions Are

Type Reduced or Sinks Are Examples
Enhanced

Change in Uses Increasing carbon

of Land storage by using land Minimizing the
differently or maintaining conversion of forest land
carbon storage by to other land uses, such
avoiding land as settlements, croplands,
degradation. or grasses.

Changes in Improving management

Land practices on existing Utilizing reduced
Management land-use types. tillage practices on
Practices cropland and improved
grazing management
practices on grassland.

Planting after
natural or human-induced
forest disturbances to
accelerate vegetation
growth and minimize soil
carbon losses.

Global Greenhouse Gas Emissions Data

Global Emissions by Gas

Global Emissions by Economic Sector

 Trends in Global Emissions

Emissions by Country

Global Emissions by Gas

At the global scale, the key greenhouse gases emitted by human activities are:

Source: IPCC (2014) EXIT based on global emissions from 2010. Details about the sources included
in these estimates can be found in the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment
Report of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT

Carbon dioxide (CO2): Fossil fuel use is the primary source of CO2.
CO2 can also be emitted from direct human-induced impacts on forestry and
other land use, such as through deforestation, land clearing for agriculture,
and degradation of soils. Likewise, land can also remove CO2 from the
atmosphere through reforestation, improvement of soils, and other activities.
 Methane (CH4): Agricultural activities, waste management, energy use,
and biomass burning all contribute to CH4 emissions.

Nitrous oxide (N2O): Agricultural activities, such as fertilizer use, are

the primary source of N2O emissions. Fossil fuel combustion also generates
N2O.

Fluorinated gases (F-gases): Industrial processes, refrigeration, and

the use of a variety of consumer products contribute to emissions of F-gases,
which include hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs), perfluorocarbons (PFCs), and
sulfur hexafluoride (SF6).

Black carbon is a solid particle or aerosol, not a gas, but it also contributes to
warming of the atmosphere. Learn more about black carbon and climate
change on our Causes of Climate Change page.

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Global Emissions by Economic Sector

Global greenhouse gas emissions can also be broken down by the economic
activities that lead to their production.[1]
 Source: IPCC
(2014); EXIT based on global emissions from 2010. Details about the sources included in these
estimates can be found in the Contribution of Working Group III to the Fifth Assessment Report of the
Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. EXIT

Electricity and Heat Production (25% of 2010 global greenhouse gas

emissions): The burning of coal, natural gas, and oil for electricity and heat is
the largest single source of global greenhouse gas emissions.

Industry (21% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions): Greenhouse

gas emissions from industry primarily involve fossil fuels burned on site at
facilities for energy. This sector also includes emissions from chemical,
metallurgical, and mineral transformation processes not associated with
energy consumption and emissions from waste management activities. (Note:
Emissions from industrial electricity use are excluded and are instead covered
in the Electricity and Heat Production sector.)

Agriculture, Forestry, and Other Land Use (24% of 2010 global

greenhouse gas emissions): Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector come
mostly from agriculture (cultivation of crops and livestock) and deforestation.
This estimate does not include the CO2 that ecosystems remove from the
 atmosphere by sequestering carbon in biomass, dead organic matter, and
soils, which offset approximately 20% of emissions from this sector.[2]

Transportation (14% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions):

Greenhouse gas emissions from this sector primarily involve fossil fuels
burned for road, rail, air, and marine transportation. Almost all (95%) of the
world's transportation energy comes from petroleum-based fuels, largely
gasoline and diesel.

Buildings (6% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions): Greenhouse

gas emissions from this sector arise from onsite energy generation and
burning fuels for heat in buildings or cooking in homes. (Note: Emissions from
electricity use in buildings are excluded and are instead covered in the
Electricity and Heat Production sector.)

Other Energy (10% of 2010 global greenhouse gas emissions): This

source of greenhouse gas emissions refers to all emissions from the Energy
sector which are not directly associated with electricity or heat production,
such as fuel extraction, refining, processing, and transportation.

Note on emissions sector categories.

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Trends in Global Emissions

 Sourc
e: Boden, T.A., Marland, G., and Andres, R.J. (2017). Global, Regional, and National Fossil-Fuel
CO2Emissions. Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S.
Department of Energy, Oak Ridge, Tenn., U.S.A. doi 10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2017.

Global carbon emissions from fossil fuels have significantly increased since
1900. Since 1970, CO2 emissions have increased by about 90%, with
emissions from fossil fuel combustion and industrial processes contributing
about 78% of the total greenhouse gas emissions increase from 1970 to 2011.
Agriculture, deforestation, and other land-use changes have been the second-
largest contributors.[1]

Emissions of non-CO2 greenhouse gases have also increased significantly

since 1900. To learn more about past and projected global emissions of non-
CO2 gases, please see the EPA report, Global Anthropogenic Non-
CO2 Greenhouse Gas Emissions: 1990-2020.

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Emissions by Country

Source: Boden, T.A., Marland, G., and Andres, R.J. (2017). National CO2 Emissions from Fossil-Fuel
Burning, Cement Manufacture, and Gas Flaring: 1751-2014, Carbon Dioxide Information Analysis
Center, Oak Ridge National Laboratory, U.S. Department of Energy, doi
10.3334/CDIAC/00001_V2017.

In 2014, the top carbon dioxide (CO2) emitters were China, the United States,
the European Union, India, the Russian Federation, and Japan. These data
include CO2 emissions from fossil fuel combustion, as well as cement
manufacturing and gas flaring. Together, these sources represent a large
proportion of total global CO2 emissions.

Emissions and sinks related to changes in land use are not included in these
estimates. However, changes in land use can be important: estimates indicate
that net global greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture, forestry, and other
land use were over 8 billion metric tons of CO2 equivalent,[2] or about 24% of
total global greenhouse gas emissions.[3] In areas such as the United
States and Europe, changes in land use associated with human activities have
the net effect of absorbing CO2, partially offsetting the emissions from
deforestation in other regions.