Methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal manure management, 1990 - 2003. Background document on the calculation method for the Dutch National Inventory Report

Since 2005 the Netherlands has used a new country-specific method to calculate the methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal manure management. Compared to the default methods provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, this method has led to a more realistic estimate of the emissions. Manure management in the Netherlands comprises manure storage, manure production in the meadow and manure processing. Methane and nitrous oxide contribute to the greenhouse effect and, in order to meet the commitments of the Kyoto protocol, have to be reported annually in the Dutch National Inventory Report. This protocol encourages countries to use country-specific methods rather than the default methods provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. The report describes the calculation schemes and data sources used for methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal manure management in the Netherlands. The elaborate explanation will facilitate expert reviewing. Finally, the report also presents an overview of the methane and nitrous oxide emissions from animal manure management and the underlying data used in the 1990 - 2003 period