Historical emissions, by country, of N2O from animal manure management and of CH4 from enteric fermentation in domestic livestock

Human activities have always led to the emission of greenhouse gases; atmospheric concentrations have been increasing during the last century; and present-day climate change is a result of past emissions. This paper presents historical emissions (1890–1998) by country due to CH4 enteric fermentation and N2O animal manure management from domestic livestock (excluding animals grazing). Two indicators are compared: cumulative emissions and concentrations. Further research is necessary to improve the inventory of N2O and CH4 emissions and concentrations, by using other country-level historical datasets and emission factors. Inventories were taken from historical databases of emissions from domestic livestock, including cattle, buffalos, pigs, sheep, goats, horses, mules and asses. Emission factors for each animal and gas in each country were based on Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change methodologies. Developed countries and countries with large populations of domestic animals are responsible for most N2O and CH4 emissions. In addition, emissions depend on animal sizes, and on quantity and quality of the feed.