Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases

Global Mitigation of Non-CO2 Greenhouse Gases: Croplands

Key Points

The global abatement potential of the croplands sector is 56 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e) in 2030, 12% of baseline emissions.
Seven abatement options were analyzed to reduce soil management emissions.
Over 80% of reductions result from the implementation of no-till cultivation and reduced fertilizer applications.

Sector Description

Land management in croplands influences soil nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions (influenced by fertilization practices, soil drainage, and nitrogen mineralization), methane (CH₄) fluxes, and soil organic carbon (C) stocks (and associated carbon dioxide [CO₂] fluxes to the atmosphere). The report considers only major crops (barley, maize, sorghum, soybeans, and wheat) and minor crops closely related to these (rye, lentils, other beans, and oats). Global baseline emissions from the croplands sector in 2010 were estimated at 474 MtCO₂e. Projected emissions are relatively constant, decreasing to approximately 460 MtCO₂e in 2020 and rebounding to 472 MtCO₂e by 2030.

In 2030, non-rice croplands emissions are projected to be 472 million MtCO2e, or 4% of total non-CO2 emissions. The projected 2030 top five emitting countries are China, the U.S., India, Brazil, and Argentina. View or download the full-size image here.(129 K, PNG)

Emissions Reduction Potential

Assuming full implementation of current technology, emissions in the cropland sector could be reduced by up to 56 MtCO₂e in 2030. This accounts for 1% of the 4,615 MtCO₂e in global reduction potential in 2030.

Potential for CH4 and N2O reductions from non-rice croplands: With full implementation of current technology, 2030 emissions could be reduced by up to 56 MtCO2e, or 1% of the 4,615 MtCO2e in global reduction potential for non-CO2 GHGs. View or download the full-size image here.(99 K, PNG)

Abatement Potential

Technologically feasible global abatement potential in the croplands sector is estimated to be 70 MtCO₂e in 2020 and 56 MtCO₂e in 2030, representing 15% and 12% reductions compared to the baseline. In 2030, abatement measures that break even (i.e., ≤ $0/tCO₂e) can reduce nearly 30 MtCO₂e. Additional reductions are achievable with the inclusion of more costly abatement measures. For example, the level of reduced emissions increases to 37 MtCO₂e by including abatement measures with implementation costs less than or equal to $30/tCO₂e.

2030 baseline projected global CH4, N2O, and organic carbon emissions from non-rice croplands: It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 5.4% compared to the baseline. An additional 6.4% reduction is available with increasingly higher costs. It would be cost-effective to reduce emissions by 5.4%, compared to the baseline, in 2030. An additional 6.4% reduction is available using technologies with increasingly higher costs.

View or download the full-size image here.(38 K, PNG)

Abatement Measures

Six abatement measures were considered for the croplands sector: adoption of no-till cultivation, reduced fertilizer application, increased fertilizer application, split nitrogen fertilization, application of nitrification inhibitors, and crop residue incorporation. Before 2020, the majority of reductions result from the implementation of no-till cultivation (70% in 2010, 60% in 2020). In 2030, the majority of reductions (96%) are shared between no-till, reduced fertilization, and nitrification inhibitors.

2030 achievable reductions in non-rice croplands CH4 and N2O emissions, by technology: The solid bars show reductions achievable at a cost less than $0/tCO2e, and the fading bars show the reductions achievable at a higher prices. Emissions reductions by technology in 2030 at $0/tCO₂e and at higher prices.

View or download the full-size image here.(37 K, PNG)

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