Benchmarking the GHG emissions intensities of crop and livestock–derived agricultural commodities produced in Latvia

A. Lenerts*, D. Popluga and K. Naglis-Liepa

Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Faculty of Economics and Social Development, Institute of Economics and Regional Development, Svetes street 18, LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: arnis.lenerts@llu.lv

Abstract:

With the production of grain and livestock–derived agricultural commodities increasing, the agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Latvia. In 2016, the agricultural sector contributed to 23.6% of the total GHG emissions originated in Latvia (266.4 kt CO₂eq), and therefore the mitigation of the emissions is important. Considering the new indicative target, Latvia must reduce its GHG emissions in the non-ETS sectors by 2030 (Regulation 2018/842) so that the emissions do not exceed the 2005 level. The research aims to estimate the emissions intensities (EI) of grain and livestock-derived commodities produced in Latvia and benchmark the EI against those for other countries. The GHG EI were analysed per kilogram of product (kg CO₂eq kg^-1) and per hectare currently in use agricultural land (kg CO₂eq ha^-1). The main part of the GHG emissions of crop production originated from fertilizer application (direct N₂O emissions) and soil liming (direct CO₂ emissions). The main part of the GHG emissions of livestock–derived production originated from livestock enteric fermentation (direct CH₄ emissions) and from manure management systems (direct CH₄ and N₂O emissions). The EI per hectare of industrial crops and grain were 550.5 and 438.4 kg CO₂eq ha^-1, respectively. The yield and fertilizer application had a strong impact on the EI per kilogram of product. Pulses had a lower EI (0.003 kg CO₂eq kg^-1), while industrial crops (0.17 kg CO₂eq kg^-1) and grain (0.09 kg CO₂eq kg^-1) had the highest EI. A comparison of the GHG EI of crop and livestock–derived agricultural commodities per kilogram of product between Latvia and other EU Member States showed: Latvia had the lowest grain EI (0.09 kg CO₂eq kg^-1), but one of the highest cattle meat EI (25.18 kg CO₂eq kg^-1) and milk EI (0.64 kg CO₂eq kg^-1).

Key words:

benchmarking, commodities, emissions intensity, GHG

Fertilizer use efficiency impact on GHG emissions in the Latvian crop sector

A. Lēnerts¹, D. Popluga¹*, K. Naglis-Liepa¹ and P. Rivža²

¹Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Economics and Social Development,
Institute of Economics and Regional Development, Svetes street 18, LV-3001, Jelgava,
Latvia
²Latvia University of Agriculture, Faculty of Information technologies, Liela street 2,
LV-3001, Jelgava, Latvia
*Correspondence: dina.popluga@llu.lv

Abstract:

Within increasing production activity Latvian agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) in Latvia. In 2013, agricultural sector contributed 21.0% of the total GHG emissions originated in Latvia (2310.1 Gg CO₂eq). Analysis of agricultural GHG emissions by sources shows that direct N2O emissions from agricultural soils through the usage of synthetic fertilizers are one of the most significant GHG source in Latvia. The usage of synthetic fertilizers is one of the most common widespread agricultural practices in Latvian cropping systems and according to statistical data usage of synthetic fertilizers is constantly increasing, for example, in 2013 it increased by 6.9% if compared with 2012. Taking into account that over-fertilization can lead to negative economic and environmental consequences, such as high production costs, depletion of energy resources, and increased GHG emissions, this research aims to estimate how effective usage of synthetic fertilizers are in Latvian crop farms. In order to achieve the set aim an N fertilizer usage were estimated in four crop farms by giving insight into N balance and N use efficiency (NUE) rate in these farms. Research results suggest that improved N efficiency can be selected as GHG mitigation measure as it reduces N surpluses and the use and production of mineral fertiliser while maintaining yield levels. It was also concluded that improved N efficiency reduces direct N₂O emissions from fertilized soils and indirect N₂O emissions that occur by the release of NH₃.

Key words: