Greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural irrigation in China

Abstract

Global change caused by increasing greenhouse gas (GHG) emission has become a common concern of the international community. As the largest emitter of GHGs and the second largest irrigator in the world, a clear understanding of how much GHG is emitted from irrigation in China is of great importance. But no previous studies address this question. So based on Chinese official statistical data, this study estimates GHG emissions from agricultural irrigation in order to inform strategies for reasonable use of water resources and emission reduction. The study finds that in 2010 the total carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent (CO 2 -e) emission from agricultural irrigation is 36.72~54.16 Mt. Emissions from energy activities in irrigation (including water pumping and conveyance) account for 50 %~70 % of total emissions from energy activities in the agriculture sector. Ground water pumping is the biggest emission source, accounting for 60.97 % of total irrigation emissions. Given the extent of global ground water over exploitation, balancing conservation and exploitation of ground water resources is very important to both emission reduction and sustainable development. The GHG emission intensity of irrigation depends largely on water use efficiency, so improvement of water use efficiency (both technical and managerial) can be an effective way to reduce emissions. Enhanced overall management of water utilization, balanced exploitation of water resources to avoid excessive ground water consumption, and active promotion of water use efficiency can contribute to reducing GHG emissions and pressure on water resources and advance sustainable agricultural production.

Assessing the potential of solar energy in pressurized irrigation networks. The case of Bembézar MI irrigation district (Spain)

“…Energy activities in irrigation (water pumping) account for 50%-70% of the total GHG emissions of the agricultural sector (Zou et al, 2013). As energy consumption in the pumping stations and GHG emissions are directly linked, the water supply generates significant GHG emissions.…”

The Impact of Agricultural Practices on Environmental Sustainability in Ghana: A Review

“…Farmers shall benefit in terms of increased yield of harvest, food security and enhanced economic livelihoods, but at the expense of environmental sustainability. The continuous tillage practices for planting, continuous flooding of the irrigated fields, decomposition of crop debris and intensive application of agrochemicals, including nitrogenous fertilizers, all together emit substantial amount of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, hastening climate change (Sainju et al, 2012;Zou et al, 2015). Thus, in China, Zou et al (2015) reported that in 2010 the total carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent (CO 2 -e) emission from agricultural irrigation was 36.72 -54.16 Mt.…”

“…The continuous tillage practices for planting, continuous flooding of the irrigated fields, decomposition of crop debris and intensive application of agrochemicals, including nitrogenous fertilizers, all together emit substantial amount of carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide into the atmosphere, hastening climate change (Sainju et al, 2012;Zou et al, 2015). Thus, in China, Zou et al (2015) reported that in 2010 the total carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) equivalent (CO 2 -e) emission from agricultural irrigation was 36.72 -54.16 Mt. In a study on pesticide use by irrigation workers in Ghana, Clarke et al (1997) posited that farmers and consumers risk their health (poisoning and other symptoms of blood cholinesterase) through consumption of highly contaminated food harvest, fertilizers and agrochemicals -due to misapplication of the insecticides and poor handling of the agro-chemicals.…”

Contribution of Urban Water Supply to Greenhouse Gas Emissions in China

“…Country‐level studies on GHG emissions for water use in China have thus far focused solely on water use in agriculture. Such studies are certainly warranted given that China is the second largest irrigator in the world (Zou et al ). Wang and colleagues () used village survey data from 11 provinces in China that rely heavily on groundwater to provide a picture of GHG emissions from groundwater use in agriculture in China.…”

“…The average emissions intensity (kilograms [kg] CO 2 ‐eq per cubic meter [m 3 ] of water) for each province depended largely on the number of deep wells and the power source used for pumping, with electricity leading to more GHG emissions than diesel owing to China's reliance on coal for power generation. Zou and colleagues () extended the range of this investigation to include surface water pumping, water conveyance, irrigation equipment construction, and five of the most popular irrigation techniques in China and found the total emissions released as a result of agricultural irrigation to be between 39.04 and 57.03 Mt CO 2 ‐eq for 2010.…”