Life cycle analysis of raw milk production in Tunisia

Amira Ghazouani,Rachid Bouraoui,Maroua Hasnaoui,Ibrahim-El-Akram Znaidi,Hajer Mhamdi,Cyrine Darej,Naceur Mhamdi,Norchene Guoiaa

doi:10.21472/bjbs.051005

Abstract

Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) is a tool to calculate greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions of dairy production. A survey was conducted in 20 dairy farms at the governorate of Sousse. The present study aimed to evaluate environmental impact of milk production at the farm regarding GHG emission and energy consumption. In the 20 dairy farms total GHG emissions resulted in a mean of 0.63 +/- 0.2 kg CH4/kg ECM and forage can contribute with a means 0.35 Le kg CO2eq/DM. The main reductions in GHG emissions per kg of FPCM started from 2,347 kg per cow per year and then the reduction slowed down to stabilize at around 6,127 kg FPCM per cow per year.

Highlights

Global climate change has become a global challenge, caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that pose a risk to the environment, human health and safety (Mantyka-Pringle et al, 2015)
Due to this increased demand and the environmental impact of milk production, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that milk can be produced in an efficient and environmentally friendly way
The average annual milk production expressed in kg FPCM per cow present is 6,074 kg FPCM and varies between 4,527 kg FPCM and 7,124 kg FPCM

Summary

Introduction

Global climate change has become a global challenge, caused by greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions that pose a risk to the environment, human health and safety (Mantyka-Pringle et al, 2015). GHG emissions associated with dairy products are increasing each year due to continued increases in consumer demand (Baek et al, 2014; Adler et al, 2015). The carbon footprint is an effective indicator to embody the concept of low carbon, considered as the total carbon emission of a certain product or service throughout its life cycle (Dong et al, 2014). Due to this increased demand and the environmental impact of milk production, in terms of greenhouse gas emissions, it is important that milk can be produced in an efficient and environmentally friendly way

Methods

Results

Conclusion