Calculation and analysis of indirect GHG emissions in the agricultural sector using public data: Focusing on electricity usage

In the domestic agricultural sector, the trend toward electrification of energy sources is rapidly increasing due to the impact of high oil prices and the spread of smart technologies. It is thus necessary to understand the current status of indirect greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agricultural sector. In this study, indirect GHG emissions from the agricultural sector due to electricity use were estimated using public data (Input-Output tables, statistics, etc.) published in other sectors, and found to be 7.3 million tons CO₂eq. (2020). Specifically, indirect GHG emissions by agricultural and livestock sectors were 1.4 million tons CO₂eq. in the vegetable sector, 0.8 million tons CO₂eq. in the fruit sector, 1.0 million tons CO₂eq. in the pig sector, and 0.9 million tons CO₂eq. in the Korean beef sector. In addition, the indirect GHG emissions per cultivated area in the cultivation sector (tons CO₂eq./ha) were 23.245 tons CO2eq./ha for the floriculture sector and 6.395 tons CO₂eq./ha for the vegetable sector, and the indirect GHG emissions in the livestock sector (CO₂eq./slaughtered animal) were 1.13609 tons CO₂eq./slaughtered animal for the Korean cattle/beef cattle sector and 0.05720 tons CO₂eq./slaughtered animal for the pig sector. The indirect GHG inventory of the agricultural energy sector prepared based on the results of this study is expected to be used to inform carbon neutrality and energy neutrality transition policies in the agricultural energy sector.