Greenhouse gas emission status in agriculture and livestock sectors of Korea: A mini review

The goal of achieving carbon neutrality is now a shared objective for humanity, with countries worldwide setting specific greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction targets by 2030. While initial concerns about global warming focused on fossil fuel use post-industrial revolution, perceptions shifted in the 2010s, highlighting the livestock industry as a significant contributor. However, a survey showed that the energy sector accounts for 71.2%, while agriculture contributes to only 11.9% of global GHG emissions, with only 7% of agricultural GHG coming from livestock. According to data from the Food and Agriculture Organization, the livestock sector accounts for 13.5% of the total GHG emissions. In Korea, GHG emissions from the agricultural sector are reported to be 2.9%, of which the livestock sector accounts for 1.3%. These findings underscore that the livestock industry is not the primary GHG emitter, emphasizing the need for intensive reduction efforts across high-emission industries like energy. Hence, setting accurate, data-based reduction targets and guidelines is crucial for effective GHG emissions mitigation.