2 research outputs found
Benchmarking the GHG emissions intensities of crop and livestock–derived agricultural commodities produced in Latvia
ArticleWith 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
)
Marginal abatement cost curve for an ammonia reduction measure in agriculture: the case of Latvia
Received: January 28th, 2021 ; Accepted: May 26th, 2021 ; Published: August 24th, 2021 ; Correspondence: [email protected] the production of grain and livestock–derived agricultural commodities
increasing, the agricultural sector has become one of the main sources of ammonia (NH3)
emissions in Latvia. In 2018, the agricultural sector contributed to 83% of the total NH3 emissions
originated in Latvia (15.46 kt) (LIIR 2020). The EU has already put in place measures to control
NH3 emissions. This includes the EU target of reducing ammonia emissions by 21% by 2030 and
sets out emission reduction commitments for Latvia. Considering Latvia’s indicative reduction
target, the NH3 emission reductions need to be achieved by 2030 (Directive 2016/2284) so that
the emissions do not exceed the 2005 level (11.33 kt). Implementing no mitigation measures,
Latvia has projected agricultural sector NH3 emissions to be 32.4% higher than those in 2005,
and therefore the mitigation of the NH3 emissions from agriculture is important. The research
aims to estimate cost-effective NH3 emission reduction measures in agriculture in Latvia. The
results of the research represent a marginal abatement cost curve (MACC) analysis, in which we
have quantified the potential for reduction for selected NH3 emission mitigation measures in
Latvia. A list of the measures has been established taking into account the experience of good
agricultural practices in the reduction of NH3 emissions (UN, 2014) and of other European
countries as well. The calculations carried out allowed us to group the measures according to their
priorities: measures that are cost-effective and with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures
that are cost-effective but with low NH3 emission reduction potential; measures that are not
cost-effective but with high potential for reduction of NH3; measures that are not cost-effective
and with low potential for reduction of NH3. The estimated cumulative (total) reduction of NH3
emissions in Latvian agriculture by 2030, with the implementation of the measures analysed, is
equal to 20.08 kt