Table 2.2: Emissions avoidance activities on the positive list

Activity

Agricultural

• the treatment of livestock manure by pyrolysis, gasification or torrefaction

• the application of inhibitors to livestock manure or fertiliser

• savanna fire management

• the feeding of supplements to livestock

• the capture and combustion of methane from livestock manure

• the selective breeding of livestock for improved residual food intake.

Introduced animals

• feral animal management.

Note: The positive list also includes landfill-related activities, which are not considered in this manual
Source: See Appendix C. 

Box 2.2: Australia's agricultural emissions

There are six broad components of agricultural emissions:

• field burning of agricultural residues—the emission of a range of greenhouse gases largely as a result of stubble burning (for crops such as wheat) or burning a sugarcane crop before harvest

• rice cultivation—methane generated during rice growing from the decomposition of residues and organic carbon in the soil as a consequence of flooding the crop

• enteric fermentation—the emission of methane as a by-product of the digestive processes of cattle, sheep, pigs and other animals

• manure management—the emission of methane (and in some cases nitrous oxide) from the decomposition of organic matter in animal manure

• agricultural soils—the emission of nitrous oxide from soils as a result of microbial and chemical transformations, due in part to the application of nitrogen fertilisers

• savanna burning—methane and nitrous oxide released into the atmosphere.

In June 2020, agriculture accounted for 13.1 per cent of Australia's national inventory, approximately 3.5% higher than the 1990 levels.

The following charts, from the "Quarterly Update of Australia's National Greenhouse Gas Inventory" by the Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources, show the history and composition of Australia's agricultural emissions, as well as changes to the reporting style and level of detail offered by the Department.  

June 2020 chart:

March 2019 chart:

December 2018 chart:

March 2014 chart:  

Source: Department of the Environment, Quarterly update of Australia's National greenhouse gas inventory