Since its inception in 1994, AgSTAR has made meaningful progress reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the agriculture sector. Through outreach, education, training and other tools, AgSTAR continues to support anaerobic digestion of livestock waste.

Anaerobic digestion of livestock waste reduces GHG emissions in two ways:

• Methane emissions are directly reduced as biogas is captured and used as a renewable fuel.
• The energy generated displaces the use of fossil fuels, further avoiding the emission of GHGs and other pollutants.

Recent AgSTAR Accomplishments

“AgSTAR is a tremendous resource to the Nebraska Methane Workgroup. The program serves as a valuable conduit of information to connect states facing similar issues, and this has been particularly helpful.”
Joe Francis
May 2015

• Approximately 253 anaerobic digesters are operating at commercial livestock farms in the United States. To find out more about these projects, explore the Livestock Anaerobic Digester Database.
• In 2017, AgSTAR helped reduce GHG emissions by 3.95 million metric tons of CO₂ equivalent (MMTCO₂e):
  • 3.11 MMTCO₂e direct emission reductions
  • 0.84 MMTCO₂e emissions avoided

2017 AgSTAR GHG Emission Reductions

EPA’s Greenhouse Gas Equivalencies Calculator provides other GHG equivalencies.

Greenhouse Gas Reductions Due to AgSTAR Programs

The chart below shows the amount of direct and indirect greenhouse gas emission reductions from anaerobic digesters on livestock farms from 2000 through 2017. The chart shows a steady increase through 2013 with an estimated total of 3.95 MMTCO₂e in 2017.

Show/Hide Data

In addition to these environmental benefits, AgSTAR has:

• Organized education and outreach events, including a national conference
• Developed technical resources for farmers, vendors and other stakeholders
• Launched the AgSTAR Partners Program which includes state and non-governmental stakeholders