Methane emission from livestock in the Podlaskie Voivodeship

The purpose of the analysis, the results of which are presented in this paper was to determine the amount of methane emitted from livestock farming into the atmosphere from the area of the Podlaskie Voivodeship in the years 1999–2012. The analysis was conducted according to guidelines developed by the IPCC and concerned two sources of methane: enteric fermentation and manure management. According to KOBIZE data, in Poland, in both cases systematic decrease in CH4 emission into the atmosphere is observed. In contrast to this trend, in Podlaskie Voivodeship methane emission, related to enteric fermentation in the period of 1999–2012 increased by 32%, while the amount associated with manure by about 15%. The main reason for these differences is a steady increase of the number of cows, which are the main source of methane.