Emission-free agriculture

The agricultural sector is pursuing improved methods and new technologies to reduce emissions while continuing to meet the demands of a growing global population.

Agriculture contributes to greenhouse-gas emissions through several channels:
• Fertilizer use is associated with CO2 emissions.
• Livestock produces significant methane emissions.
• Organic waste generates methane as it decomposes.
• Land tilling releases CO2 into the atmosphere.

Efforts by farmers and scientists are underway to reduce CO2 and methane emissions in food production:
• Fertilizer use can be minimized through improved management practices that reduce runoff during rainfall.
• New dietary supplements for livestock are being researched to lower methane emissions.
• Methane capture is implemented in waste-management processes.
• Enhanced land-management practices can decrease emissions from soil and tilling.
• GMO seeds are being explored to increase crop productivity while requiring less fertilizer and limited tilling.

Shifts in eating habits aimed at reducing emissions have recently begun to gain traction.

Efforts to lower emissions in the food chain should include:
• Prioritizing plant-based meat substitutes, as meat production generates significantly more greenhouse gases (GHGs) per calorie than vegetables.
• Reducing food waste, since decomposing unsold food produces methane.
• Considering both transport-related emissions and producers’ agricultural practices when making food choices.