GHG Balance of Agricultural Intensification & Bioenergy Production in the Orinoquia Region, Colombia

Abstract

Energy crop expansion can increase land demand and generate displacement of food crops, which impacts greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions mainly through land-use change (LUC). Increased agricultural productivity could compensate for this. Our study aims to evaluate the regional combined GHG emissions of increasing agricultural yields for food crop and beef production and using the generated surplus land for biomass production to replace fossil fuels in the Orinoquia region of Colombia until 2030. The results show that surplus land for biomass production is obtained only when strong measures are applied to increase agricultural productivity. In the medium and high scenario, a land surplus of 0.6 and 2.4 Mha, respectively, could be generated. Such intensification results in up to 83% emission reduction in Orinoquia’s agricultural sector, largely coming from increasing productivity of cattle production and improving degraded pastures. Biofuel potential from the surplus land is projected at 36 to 368 PJ per year, with a low risk of causing indirect LUC, and results in GHG emission reductions of more than 100% compared to its fossil fuel equivalent. An integrated perspective of the agricultural land use enables sustainable production of both food and bioenergy.

Contribution of land use practices to GHGs in the Canadian Prairies crop sector

“…The results of the mitigation potential analysis reported in Ali et al [ 70 ] provides evidence that the adoption of low-emission energy technologies can significantly reduce GHG emissions in developing countries to help meet the 2050 goals. Ramírez-Contreras [ 71 ] found that renewable energy in the form of bioenergy has the potential to reduce fossil fuel dependence in the Orinoquia region of Colombia by 2030, offering the opportunity to slow down the rate of GHG emissions in this region. Moreover, using proper technology platforms (e.g., geospatial technology, and precision agriculture) with perennial bioenergy crops can not only increase feedstock supply for renewable biofuel production but also improve soil health, sequester carbon, and provide habitat for pollinators and other wildlife species [ 66 , 72 , 73 ].…”

Life cycle inventory data for ethyl levulinate production from Colombian rice straw

“…LCI for the production of RS was obtained for Colombia conditions, in the Orinoquia region [2] . RS production encompasses both cultivation and harvest stages.…”

“…Paddy rice and RS were considered as main outputs. Diesel, land, and fertilizer requirements for rice production was obtained from the literature review [2] . Emissions of the agricultural stage was determined according to the IPCC methodology.…”

Bioenergy for climate change mitigation: Scale and sustainability

“…There are many examples showing how the agriculture and forestry sectors can devise management approaches that enable biomass production and use for energy in conjunction with supply of food, construction timber and other bio‐based products, while avoiding further conversion of natural ecosystems. Principal means include changes in agriculture practices to increase cropping intensities and yields and improve livestock productivity (Andrade et al, 2017; Brinkman et al, 2021; Cassman & Grassini, 2020; de Souza et al, 2019; Gerssen‐Gondelach et al, 2017; Ramírez‐Contreras et al, 2021), forest management practices enabling biomass harvest for energy (Dale et al, 2017; Ghaffariyan et al, 2017; Spinelli, 2019), and changes to industrial processes to improve biomass conversion efficiencies and use residues and waste to meet internal process energy needs and produce fuels, electricity and heat for use outside the industry (Hagman et al, 2018; Isaksson et al, 2012; Negri et al, 2020; Pettersson & Harvey, 2012). Furthermore, new biomass production systems can be integrated with existing agriculture and forestry systems (incl.…”