Tag Archives: GHG emissions

xxx V. Zagorska, A. Ruciņš, D. Viesturs and S. Ivanovs
Assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and energy inputs applying different weed control methods for wheat growing
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Assessment of the greenhouse gas emissions and energy inputs applying different weed control methods for wheat growing

V. Zagorska¹*, A. Ruciņš², D. Viesturs² and S. Ivanovs²

¹Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Institute of Plant Protection Research ‘Agrihorts’, 2 Paula Lejiņa street, LV–3001 Jelgava, Latvia
² Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies, Ulbroka Research Center, 1 Instituta street, LV–2130 Ulbroka, Latvia
*Correspondence: viktorija.zagorska@llu.lv

Abstract:

Economic indicators are often used to evaluate and select technologies, determining the production costs of the product. However, according to the EU’s green course, the ecological assessment of technologies is increasingly important. The purpose of the article is to comparatively evaluate two winter wheat weed control methods, which are widely used in Latvia, according to two ecological indicators – the amount of the GHG emissions and the energy consumption, to find out whether these indicators can serve as a criterion for the selection of technologies. These two methods are HA (harrowing), in which weeds are controlled by harrowing and herbicides, HE (herbicides), in which weeds are controlled only by herbicides. The methodology for calculating the mentioned indicators was developed by analyzing several studies by other authors. The total GHG emissions generated are calculated as the sum of five components: emissions, generated for the manufacture and delivery of the machinery used; emissions, generated by the fuel, consumed for implementation of the technology; emissions, generated for the production, delivery and installation of fertilizers; emissions, generated for the production, delivery and installation of pesticides, seed production, delivery and installation emissions. Analogously, the total energy consumption is calculated by summing the components The technologies were implemented on a specific farm, with the machinery of this farm, labor, fertilizers and the plant protection products. It has been established that the technologies differ by the calculated ecological indicators within the range of 1.2–2.6%; moreover, these indicators are lower for the technology with the herbicide spraying, and the technology is simpler to implement. Therefore, it is also more widely used. Since the coefficients for the calculation of the ecological indicators can be applied by the methodology of this article, the characteristics of the technique and the doses of fertilizers and the plant protection agents, used on the farms, are known, the ecological indicators can be used as an additional criterion for the selection of technologies on the farms. The ratio of the energy value and energy consumption of the produced product (the output and the input ratio) was also determined, this indicator for technologies HA and HE being, respectively, 8.30 and 8.41. In comparison with the research by the authors in other countries, from the point of view of the amount of the generated CO2-eq emissions and rational consumption of energy, the analysed winter wheat production technologies are evaluated as moderately efficient, but from the point of view of the energy value of the product produced and the ratio of the energy consumption (the output and the input ratio) – as efficient.

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439-450 K. Bumbiere, S. Sereda, J. Pubule and D. Blumberga
The role of energy management in the agricultural sector: key prerequisites and impacts
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The role of energy management in the agricultural sector: key prerequisites and impacts

K. Bumbiere*, S. Sereda, J. Pubule and D. Blumberga

Riga Technical University, Faculty of Electrical and Environmental Engineering, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Azenes street 12/1, Riga LV 1048, Latvia
*Correspondence: ketija.bumbiere@rtu.lv

Abstract:

Agriculture is one of the most energy-consuming sectors in the EU’s economy. Implementing sustainable agriculture to reduce GHG emissions and increase energy efficiency through energy management is a crucial strategy to tackle climate change. In this paper, the role of energy management in the agricultural sector is studied, and experiences from Europe and the world have been considered. Literature analysis regarding the chosen topic has been conducted, including the methodology of energy management plan development and its implementation in the case study of Latvia. Data from Latvia’s agricultural and other sectors have been analysed and compared. Latvia’s Inventory Report regarding GHG emissions in the agricultural sector was reviewed, and all emission sources in the agricultural sector were highlighted. The primary purpose of the study is to find out if energy management were introduced in an agricultural company, what would be the potential GHG emission, energy savings and additional advantages. Two companies working in Latvia were surveyed, and potential emission and energy consumption reduction measures in agriculture that would be applied to companies were developed. The research showed that by implementing the basic principles of energy management, it would be possible to reduce the average energy consumption by 17%. If measures are applied to reduce GHG emissions from agricultural companies, the average emissions would be reduced by 43%.

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1809-1823 G. Petaja, M. Okmanis, K. Polmanis, J. Stola, G. Spalva and J. Jansons
Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and area of organic soils in cropland and grassland in Latvia – integrated National forest inventory data and soil maps approach
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Evaluation of greenhouse gas emissions and area of organic soils in cropland and grassland in Latvia – integrated National forest inventory data and soil maps approach

G. Petaja*, M. Okmanis, K. Polmanis, J. Stola, G. Spalva and J. Jansons

Latvian State Forest Research Institute “Silava” Rigas street 111, LV–2169 Salaspils, Latvia
*Correspondence: guna.petaja@silava.lv

Abstract:

The aim of the research was to assess distribution of organic soils in farmlands for the time period between 1990 and 2015, as well as to carry out a recalculation of GHG emissions from organic soils in grassland and cropland. We evaluated the area of typical organic soils using digitized soil maps created between 1960s and 1980s there were 183,000 ha of cropland and grassland on organic soils. A selected number of areas on organic soils intersecting with the National forest inventory (NFI) plots were surveyed. We found that 66 ± 10% of surveyed plots still conforms to criteria for organic soils according to Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines; in the rest of plots soil organic matter has been mineralized and these areas do not conform to IPCC criteria of organic soils. The following distributionof organic soils was estimated in cropland – 6.3 ± 3.3% in 1990 and 4.1 ± 3.4% in 2015, but in grassland – 11.6 ± 3.6% in 1990 and 7.7 ± 3.9% in 2015. The annual reduction of GHG emissions due to reduction of area of organic soils in cropland in 2015 corresponds to 1,400,000 tonnes CO2 eq. in comparison to 1990 and in grassland – to 1,100,000 tonnes CO2 eq. The estimated reduction of the GHG emissions due to conversion of organic soils into mineral soils, comparing the average value in 2005–2009 with the projection for 2021–2030 on average will correspond to 313,000 tonnes CO2 eq. annually, however LULUCF sector still won’t become a net CO2 sink according to the GHG inventory data on other land use categories and carbon pools.

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464-476 E. Dace and I. Muizniece
Modeling greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry sector – the case of Latvia
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Modeling greenhouse gas emissions from the forestry sector – the case of Latvia

E. Dace* and I. Muizniece

Riga Technical University, Institute of Energy Systems and Environment, Azenes street 12/1, LV1048 Riga, Latvia; *Correspondence: elina.dace@rtu.lv

Abstract:

A system dynamics model for assessing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from forestry and forest land is presented in the paper. The model is based on the IPCC guidelines for national GHG inventories and includes the main elements of the forestry sector, i.e. changes in the living biomass, dead organic matter and soils. The developed model allows simulating various policies and measures implemented and decisions made, and their impact on change in the GHG emissions. Various scenarios of potential development in the medium-term planning were simulated till 2030 to assess their impact on the GHG emissions. It is found that the most sustainable option would be use of wood processing waste for production of e.g. wood chips or some added-value products. The case of Latvia is selected for simulations, as forests compose about 52% of the country’s area. Nevertheless, by changing specific parametric values the model can be adapted and applied for estimation and analysis of GHG emissions from forestry in other countries, as well.

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