A Case Study to Estimate the Greenhouse-Gas Mitigation Potential on Conventional Rice Production System

To estimate greenhouse gas (GHG) emission, the inventory of rice cultivation at the farming without agricultural chemicals was established from farmers in Gunsan, Jeonbuk province in 2011∼2012. The objectives of this study were to calculate carbon footprint and analyse the major factor of GHGs. To do this, we carried out a sensitivity analysis using the analyzed main factors of GHGs and estimated the mitigation potential of GHGs. Also we suggested agricultural methods to reduce GHGs that can be appled by farmers at this region. At the farming system without agricultural chemicals, carbon footprint of rice production unit of kg was 2.15 kg CO₂.-eq. kg -1 . Although the amount of carbon dioxide (CO₂) emission was the largest among GHGs, methane (CH₄) emission had the highest contribution to carbon footprint on rice production system when it was converted to carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂-eq.) multiplied by the global warming potential (GWP). Main source of CO₂ emission in the rice farming system without agricultural chemicals was combustion of fossil fuels used by agricultural machinery. Most of the CH₄ was emitted during rice cultivation practice and its major emission factor was flooded paddy field in anaerobic condition. Also, most of the N2O was emitted from rice cultivation process. Major sources of the N₂O emission was application of fertilizer such as compound fertilizer. As a result of sensitivity analysis in energy consumption, diesel had the highest sensitivity among the energy inputs. With the reduction of diesel consumption by 10%, it was estimated that CO₂ potential reduction was about 2.0%. With reducing application rate of compound fertilizer by 10%, the potential reduction was calculated that CO₂ and N₂O could be reduced by 0.5% and 0.9%, respectively. At the condition of 10% reduction of silicate and compost, CO₂ and CH₄ could be reduced by 1.5% and 1.6%, respectively. With 8 days more drainage than the ordinary practice, CH₄ emission could be reduced by about 4.5%. Drainage and diesel consumption were the main sources having the largest effect on the GHG reduction at the farming system without agricultural chemicals. Based on the above results, we suggest that no-tillage and midsummer drainage could be a method to decrease GHG emissions from rice production system.

2011년 전북 군산과 익산 지역의 관행농, 무농약, 유기농 농가를 대상으로 영농방법별로 쌀 생산 과정 중 투입 배출되는 물질 목록을 면접조사하여 전과정평가를 수행하고 쌀 생산체계에 대한 영농방법별 환경영향을 평가하고 탄소배출량을 비교 분석하였다. 전과정 목록분석 결과 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> 배출은 화학비료 생산과 벼 재배단계에서 가장 많았고, <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX>과 <TEX>$N_2O$</TEX> 배출은 대부분 벼 재배 중에 발생되었다. 쌀 (조곡) 1 kg 생산을 기준으로 하는 탄소성적은 관행농이 1.01E+00 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>로 가장 높았고, 무농약이 5.37E-01 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>, 유기농법이 6.58E-01 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>였다. 농자재 투입량이 가장 적었던 무농약 쌀 생산에서 탄소성적이 가장 낮았고, 생산량은 가장 적었지만 복비투입이 없었던 유기농이 관행농보다 탄소성적이 낮았다. 관행농과 무농약 쌀 생산체계에서 온실가스 배출 주요 요인은 복비생산과 벼 재배 중 <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> 발생이었고, 유기농에서는 벼 재배 중 농기계 연료사용과 논토양 <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> 발생이었다. 그러므로 온실가스 감축을 위한 영농방법 활용으로 복합비료 적정량 사용을 위한 맞춤형 비료의 권장 및 벼논 물관리에 의한 메탄발생 저감방법 등을 제안하며, 더불어 유기농법에서는 수확량 향상을 위한 생산 효율성 증대와, 벼 재배 단계에서 농기계 연료 효율성 증대 활용에 관한 연구가 요구되었다. This study was performed a comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) among three rice production systems in order to analyze the difference of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emissions and environment impacts. Its life cycle inventory (LCI) database (DB) was established using data obtained from interview with conventional, without agricultural chemical and organic farming at Gunsan and Iksan, Jeonbuk province in 2011. According to the result of LCI analysis, <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> was mostly emitted from fertilizer production process and rice cropping phase. <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> and <TEX>$N_2O$</TEX> were almost emitted from rice cultivation phase. The value of carbon footprint to produce 1 kg rice (unhulled) on conventional rice production system was 1.01E+00 kg <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX> and it was the highest value among three rice production systems. The value of carbon footprints on without agricultural chemical and organic rice production systems were 5.37E-01 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX> and 6.58E-01 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>, respectively. Without agricultural chemical rice production system whose input amount was the smallest had the lowest value of carbon footprint. Although the yield of rice from organic farming was the lowest, its value of carbon footprint less than that of conventional farming. Because there is no compound fertilizer inputs in organic farming. Compound fertilizer production and methane emission during rice cultivation were the main factor to GHGs emission in conventional and without agricultural chemical rice production systems. In organic rice production system, the main factors to GHGs emission were using fossil fuel on machine operation and methane emission from rice paddy field.

본 연구진은 2007년 농진청과 통계청에서 수집한 농축산물소득자료 통계 값으로 국가평균 탄소성적을 산정하는 top-down 방식의 자료수집 방법을 구축하였다. 또한, 본 연구진은 2011년 전북 군산 지역 관행농 쌀 생산 농가 중 벼 평균 재배면적이 3.3 ha인 네 곳의 대규모 생산농가를 섭외하여 면접조사로 사례를 분석하는 bottom-up 방식의 전과정 목록 (LCI, life cycle Inventory)도 구축하였다. 본 연구는 관행농 쌀 생산체계에 대한 전과정 평가를 국립농업과학원에서 구축한 top-down 방식과 사례분석을 통한 bottom-up 방식으로 수행한 결과를 비교하기 위하여 수행되었다. 전과정 목록분석 결과 <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>은 무기질 비료 생산과 벼 재배과정에서 배출량이 가장 많았고, <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX>와 <TEX>$N_2O$</TEX>은 대부분 벼 재배과정에서 배출되었다. 관행농 쌀 1 kg 생산을 기준으로 하는 탄소성적은 국가평균값이 2.39E+00 kg <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>, 사례분석이 1.04E+00 kg <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX>으로 국가평균 탄소성적이 사례분석보다 높았다. 쌀 생산 전과정에 투입되는 농자재량은 국가평균과 사례분석이 유사하거나 오히려 사례분석이 더 높게 나타났으나 작기 당 수확량이 높아 사례분석의 탄소성적이 유리한 결과가 나왔다. 관행농 쌀 생산체계에서 각 생산공정별 환경영향을 분석한 결과 화학비료 생산단계가 대부분의 환경영향범주에서 기여도가 가장 높게 나타났으나, GWP 범주는 벼 재배에 의한 환경영향 기여도가 가장 컸다. 관행농 쌀 생산에서 탄소성적을 결정하는 주요 요인은 논토양에서 발생하는 메탄가스와 비료투입량 및 벼 수확량이었다. 본 연구 결과는 향후 '농산물 저탄소인증' 시범사업에서 배출량 산정을 위한 기초자료와 벼논에서 온실가스를 줄이기 위한 영농법 개발에 활용될 것으로 기대된다. '저탄소 농산물 인증제도' 시범사업의 성공을 위해서 쌀을 포함한 농작물에 대한 실제 농가를 대상으로 하는 사례분석 연구가 더욱 늘어나야 할 것이다. 현 단계에서는 자발적인 참여 농가를 대상으로 하여 활동 데이터 수집을 늘리고, 자료의 일관성과 대표성 보완을 위하여 농가의 활동데이터를 수집할 때 모집단 선발과 수집기간 등에 대한 논의가 필요하다. 또한 현재 국립농업과학원에서 구축하고 있는 DB는 2007년 소득자료를 기준으로 하므로 인증사업 시행시 사례분석을 적용할 때 몇 가지 한계와 보완사항이 요구되었다. 첫째, 국가평균 통계와 실제 대상농가 간 품종 및 생산연도에 의한 생산량 차이를 보완하기 위한 가중치 적용 등이 필요할 것으로 판단되었다. 둘째, 현재 국가평균 DB를 기준으로 설정된 시스템 경계에서 육묘 용 상토와 볏짚 및 쌀겨 등 부산물과 수확 후 도정 및 포장 등에 대한 시스템경계 확장 연구 및 이에 관한 LCI DB 구축이 요구되었다. We established a top-down methodology to estimate carbon footprint as national mean value (reference) with the statistical data on agri-livestock incomes in 2007. We also established LCI (life cycle inventory) DB by a bottom-up methodology with the data obtained from interview with farmers from 4 large-scale farms at Gunsan, Jeollabuk-do province to estimate carbon footprint in 2011. This study was carried out to compare top-down methodology and bottom-up methodology in performing LCA (life cycle assessment) to analyze the difference in GHGs (greenhouse gases) emission and carbon footprint under conventional rice cultivation system. Results of LCI analysis showed that most of <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> was emitted during fertilizer production and rice cultivation, whereas <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> and <TEX>$N_2O$</TEX> were mostly emitted during rice cultivation. The carbon footprints on conventional rice production system were 2.39E+00 kg <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX> by top-down methodology, whereas 1.04E+00 kg <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX>-eq. <TEX>$kg^{-1}$</TEX> by bottom-up methodology. The amount of agro-materials input during the entire rice cultivation for the two methodologies was similar. The amount of agro-materials input for the bottom-up methodology was sometimes greater than that for top-down methodology. While carbon footprint by the bottom-up methodology was smaller than that by the top-down methodology due to higher yield per cropping season by the bottom-up methodology. Under the conventional rice production system, fertilizer production showed the highest contribution to the environmental impacts on most categories except GWP (global warming potential) category. Rice cultivation was the highest contribution to the environmental impacts on GWP category under the conventional rice production system. The main factors of carbon footprints under the conventional rice production system were <TEX>$CH_4$</TEX> emission from rice paddy field, the amount of fertilizer input and rice yield. Results of this study will be used for establishing baseline data for estimating carbon footprint from 'low carbon certification pilot project' as well as for developing farming methods of reducing <TEX>$CO_2$</TEX> emission from rice paddy fields.

Methane emissions along biomethane and biogas supply chains are underestimated

Opportunities beyond CO2 for climate mitigation

基于生命周期评价的上海市水稻生产碳足迹研究

For the purpose of generating electricity, what leakage rate renders the greenhouse gas (GHG) footprint of natural gas equivalent to that of coal? This paper answers this question using a simple model, which assumes that the comprehensive GHG footprint is the sum of the carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions resulting from (1) electricity generation and (2) natural gas leakage. The emissions resulting from electricity generation are taken from published life-cycle assessments (LCAs), whereas the emissions from natural gas leakage are estimated assuming that natural gas is 80 % methane, whose global warming potential (GWP) is calculated using equations provided by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). Results, presented on a straightforward plot of GHG footprint versus time horizon, show that natural gas leakage of 2.0 % or 4.8 % eliminates half of natural gas’s GHG footprint advantage over coal at 20- or 100-year time horizons, respectively. Leakage of 3.9 % or 9.1 % completely eliminates the GHG footprint advantage at 20- and 100-year time horizons, respectively. A two-parameter power law approximation of the IPCC’s equation for GWP is utilized and gives equivalent results. Results indicate that leakage control is essential for natural gas to deliver a smaller GHG footprint than coal.

Trade-off of greenhouse gas emissions from double-cropped rice due to straw retention and zero tillage practices

Comparing rice production systems in China: Economic output and carbon footprint

Methane (CH4) is a major and potent greenhouse gas (GHG), and its emissions from agricultural activities, particularly rice cultivation, are a significant concern for climate change. Due to the high demand for food security, driven by rapid population growth and national initiatives to reduce dependency on rice imports, rice cultivation is intensified in West Africa. However, its contribution to atmospheric CH4 remains largely unknown. Here, for the first time, cutting-edge eddy covariance tower measurements were conducted parallelly in a rice field (Janga) and a reserve forest (Mole National Park), both located in the Guinea savanna region of West Africa. Using CH4 measurement data from June to October 2023 (rice cultivation period), the dynamic interplay between methane emissions from rice cultivation and its potential mitigation through forest methane uptake was assessed. Our results show that the rice field acted as a net source of CH4 at a rate of 2037 mgCH4m−2, whereas the most intense flooded period (August) accounted for 70% of the total emissions. On the other hand, the forest reserve acted as a sink, with a net uptake of −560 mgCH4m−2, and the highest uptake observed in October. Accounting for the global warming potential (GWP) of CH4 over a 20 year period, the forest had a wet season negative GWP of −47.04 gCO2eq, while the rice field emitted CH4 of 171.36 gCO2eq. This implies that under similar conditions during the measurement campaigns, the forest per square area needs approximately a factor of ∼4 to balance the positive radiative effect per square area of rice cultivated. This work emphasizes the need to integrate forests to compensate for methane released by rice cultivation in the semi-arid West African savannah region.

It is of great significance to understand the effects of different rice cultivation methods in southeast China on greenhouse gas emission characteristics and carbon footprint of paddy fields during rice cultivation for rice sustainable production. In this study, the popular conventional rice 'Jiafuzhan' and hybrid rice 'Yongyou 2640' were used as materials to establish four rice cultivation patterns suitable for different ecological types in Fujian Province: 1) double-cropping system, early rice and late rice with Jiafuzhan (D-J); 2) early maturing ratooning system, first season rice and ratooning season rice with Jiafuzhan (R-J); 3) middle-maturing ratooning system, first season rice and ratooning season with Yongyou 2640 (R-Y); and 4) single cropping system with Yongyou 2640 (S-Y), which should be synchronized in heading time with the counterpart (the ratooning season rice). Greenhouse gas emissions from paddy soil were measured by the closed static black box observation method and the gas chromatography method, respectively. The total direct and indirect greenhouse gas emissions (carbon footprints) from different rice farming patterns were evaluated by using the life cycle analysis. The results showed that greenhouse gas emissions in different rice cropping systems were lower in the early growth stage, then decreased after reaching the peak at the booting stage, demonstrating a double peak curve in the whole growth stage, in which the first peak was higher in early season or first season than the second peak in the late season or ratooning season in the cropping patterns. Moreover, the total greenhouse gas emissions were significantly different among cropping systems. The global warming potential (GWP) of different cropping patterns was in order of R-Y>D-J>S-Y>R-J, while the annual greenhouse gas emission intensity (GHGI) was D-J>S-Y>R-Y>R-J. GWP and GHGI of the ratooning system decreased by 26.1% and 14.1%, respectively, compared with those of the double-cropping system. The same pattern was observed in the ratooning rice of Yongyou 2640, which were decreased by 74.3% and 56.7%, respectively, compared with the counterpart, Yongyou 2640 in a single-cropping system synchronized heading. Carbon footprint of rice per unit yield ranged from 0.38-1.08 kg CO2-eq.·kg-1 under the different cropping systems, of which the carbon footprint of rice per unit yield was the highest under the double cropping system compared with that under other cropping systems. The reverse was true in the case of carbon footprint of rice per unit yield under the ratooning system with Yongyou 2640. Additionally, the main source of carbon footprint of different rice cropping patterns was CH4, contributing 44.2%-71.5%, suggesting that rice ratooning system could significantly reduce global warming potential and carbon emission intensity of rice in comparison with other cropping patterns. Therefore, it is key to select rice varieties with high yield and low carbon emission and to establish the supporting scientific cultivation techniques for effective reduction of CH4 emission and carbon footprint of paddy fields and promotion of ratooning rice production.

Objective: Currently, methane (CH4) emissions from rice cultivation in Malaysia are calculated using the regional’s methane emission factor (EF) of 1.60 kg CH₄ ha⁻¹ day⁻¹, as Malaysia has not yet developed a national emission factor. The objective of this study is to generate a country-specific EF of CH4 emission from rice cultivation in Malaysian rice fields. The EF generated would then be used in future emission estimates and the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) inventory reports to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). Theoretical Framework: The establishment of a national GHG emission factor for rice cultivation in Malaysia is critical for accurate GHG inventory reporting and effective climate change mitigation. This study utilizes the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guidelines to derive a country-specific emission factor, enhancing Malaysia’s compliance with international climate obligations and promoting sustainable agricultural practices. Method: A new national EF was developed from eleven rice planting seasons in rice granary areas (IADA Pulau Pinang, IADA Barat Laut Selangor, MADA and KADA) and non-granary area (Sik, Kedah). The EF was calculated from methane emissions from the new data sets, published journals and unpublished data from MARDI. For the new data set, methane gas (CH4) was measured using a static chamber method (Minamikawa et al., 2015). Sampling of GHG from the gas chamber is carried out in the field every 2 weeks and gas was analysed by a GC System Agilent 7890A gas chromatography. The daily methane flux and methane emission follow the methods by Habib et al. (2007), Fauzi et al. (2023) and the Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories for Cropland (IPCC, 2006a). Results and Discussion: The national EF calculated from CH4 gas emissions over eleven rice planting seasons in Malaysia between 2012-2024 was 1.80 kg CH4 ha-1 day-1, which is higher than the current regional EF used (1.60 kg CH4 ha-1 day-1). However, the value is within the range of the default value of 1.30 kg CH4 ha-1 day-1 by the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) 2006 and 2.00 kg CH4 ha-1 day-1 (IPCC, 1996). Research Implications: The use of this new EF resulted in 12.49% increase in the national GHG inventory from the rice cultivation sub-sector as compared to using the current regional EF. This initiative is part of a comprehensive plan to enhance and strengthen GHG inventory reporting for Malaysia's agriculture sector, aiming to meet IPCC requirements and progress to Tier 2 status.

Comparison of net global warming potential between continuous flooding and midseason drainage in monsoon region paddy during rice cropping

Achieving the Paris Agreement 1.5 C target requires a reversal of the growing atmospheric concentrations of methane, which is about 80 times more potent than CO 2 on a 20-year timescale. The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) Sixth Assessment Report stated that methane is underregulated, but little is known about the effectiveness of existing methane policies. In this review, we systematically examine existing methane policies across the energy, waste, and agriculture sectors. We find that currently only about 13% of methane emissions are covered by methane mitigation policies. Moreover, the effectiveness of these policies is far from clear, mainly because methane emissions are largely calculated using potentially unrepresentative estimates instead of direct measurements. Coverage and stringency are two major blind spots in global methane policies. These findings suggest that significant and underexplored mitigation opportunities exist, but unlocking them requires policymakers to identify a consistent approach for accurate quantification of methane emission sources alongside greater policy stringency. ll

Alternate wetting and drying in high yielding direct-seeded rice systems accomplishes multiple environmental and agronomic objectives