Farm-specific emissions increase in 2000-2015

Farm-specific greenhouse gas emissions rose in the period of 2000 to 2015, according to the calculation of a greenhouse gas emission service developed recently by the Natural Resources Institute Finland (Luke).

The emissions rose due to the fact that farms have become bigger, i.e. their size and the number of animals have increased, said a press release issued by Luke on Tuesday.

When greenhouse gas emissions are compared to production volumes in euros, it turns out that emissions have decreased. Increases in farm size may actually lower the amount of emissions relative to production.

Greenhouse gas emissions per hectare for crop farms have risen slightly, especially in cereal farms in central Finland.

For livestock farms, emissions per livestock unit have risen slightly as well, especially in dairy farms in western and northern Finland. This is partly due to the increase of fodder area.

Emissions related to production volumes in euros are reduced when production in terms of euro increases. Product prices have risen over the long term and average yields have increased too.

Increases in production efficiency make it possible to reduce emissions per kilo of products.

But in northern Finland, the development has been slower because of an increase in the share of organic soils, said Luke Research Professor Kristiina Regina.