Estimation of nitrous oxide and methane emission from livestock of urban agriculture in Beijing

Abstract

Livestock farming systems are major sources of heat trapping greenhouse gases (GHG) and the attendant global warming. From 2007 to 2009, the total quantity of GHG emissions from livestock sector in Beijing was 1.67 Tg CO2eyr−1, of which N2ON and CH4 emissions were 1.04Ggyr−1 (489 Gg CO2eyr−1) and 47.25Ggyr−1 (1181.25 Gg CO2eyr−1), respectively. The emission intensity per 10,000 RMB was 1.2Mg CO2e, which accounted for 63% of the averaged value of 1.9Mg CO2e in Beijing. Consequently, Beijing's modern urban agriculture has made progress to some extent. To reduce GHG emissions from the livestock sector, relevant strategies such as improving rearing technologies, breeding, strengthening management and developing large-scale biogas industry should be considered. Theoretical, biogas industry could offset about 80% of GHG emissions from livestock sector, yet there are some barriers, which need to be overcome to enhance cooperation among government agencies, market organizations and livestock enterprises. Furthermore, it is both essential and feasible to adopt a healthy lifestyle, clean cooking, and low-C food systems to mitigate and reduce GHG emissions.