Estimation of greenhouse gas emissions from three livestock production systems in Ethiopia

Abstract

Purpose Different livestock production systems contribute to globally Greenhouse gas emission (GHG) emission differently. The aim of this paper is to understand variation in emission in different production systems and it is also important for developing mitigation interventions that work for a specific production system. Design/methodology/approach In this study, the authors used the Global Livestock Environmental Assessment interactive model (GLEAM-i) to estimate the GHG emission and emission intensity and tested the effectiveness of mitigation strategies from 180 farms under three production systems in northern Ethiopia, namely, pastoral, mixed and urban production systems. Findings Production systems varied in terms of herd composition, livestock productivity, livestock reproductive parameters and manure management systems, which resulted in difference in total GHG emission. Methane (82.77%) was the largest contributor followed by carbon dioxide (13.40%) and nitrous oxide (3.83%). While both total carbon dioxide and methane were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in urban production system than the other systems emission intensities of cow’s milk and goat and sheep’s meat were lower in urban systems. Improvement in feed, manure management and herd parameters resulted in reduction of total GHG emission by 30, 29 and 21% in pastoral, mixed and urban production systems, respectively. Originality/value This study is a first time comparison of the GHG emission production by various production systems in northern Ethiopia. Moreover, it uses the GLEAM-i program for the first time in the ex ante settings for measuring and comparing emissions as well as for developing mitigation scenarios. By doing so, it provides information on the various livestock production system properties that contribute to the increase or decrease in GHG emission and helps in developing guidelines for low emission livestock production systems.

An overview of the interactions between food production and climate change

“…Gaviria-Uribe et al ( 2020) conducted a study in which they investigated the association between nutrition and methane emissions from livestock, focusing on legume-based diets as a mitigation measure to reduce methane emissions. The modeling of feed, manure management, and the size of the herd can result in decreasing GHG emissions (Berhe et al, 2020). Options to mitigate GHG emissions in agriculture in Africa shows Fig.…”

Livestock sustainability research in Africa with a focus on the environment

“…Cuf., Sesbania sesban (L.) Merr., Cajanus cajan (L.) Millsp., Crotalaria juncea L., and Lablab purpureus L. (Sweet) reduced enteric CH 4 production by 8–26% ( Berhanu et al, 2019 ). A simulation of corn replacing 20% roughage resulted in a 23% mean decrease in enteric CH 4 emissions in three production systems in Ethiopia ( Berhe et al, 2020 ). However, the reduction in CH 4 emissions due to concentrate supplementation may be offset by increases in other non-enteric sources such as land conversion, processing, and transportation, when more grains are fed ( Guo and Gifford, 2002 ; Peters et al, 2012 ).…”

“…Other interventions that can help minimize the environmental impacts of livestock in SSA include manure management, housing, improved water use efficiency, animal health, and genetics ( Knapp et al, 2014 ). In Ethiopia, a simulation where 20% of manure burnt for fuel or deposited on rangelands was managed as solid manure reduced CH 4 and N 2 O emission from manure by 18–36% depending on the type of livestock production systems ( Berhe et al, 2020 ). Herd management strategies such as improving herd efficiency and health and genetics; heat abatement, fertility management, and facility design; reducing herd sizes to retain only productive and efficient animals; ensuring attainment of market size or weight earlier can reduce total GHG emission from livestock by up to 30% ( Gerber et al, 2013 ).…”

COVID-19 restrictions and greenhouse gas savings in selected Islamic and MENA countries: An environmental input–output approach for climate policies

“…Moreover many other studies investigate the emission of Greenhouse gas from sectors and countries, including (Berhe et al, 2020;Ding et al, 2017;Küstermann et al, 2008; Kyung et al, 2015;Li et al, 2021;Monteith et al, 2005;Ståhl et al, 2014). For instance (Ding et al, 2017) estimated GHG emissions of China from 1990 to 2013 using different versions of statistical data are and (Berhe et al, 2020) investigated the emission in different production systems using Global Livestock Environmental Assessment interactive model. By COVID-19 pandemic, economic studies on this disease have been expanding, which we will introduce the most critical cases in the following.…”