Agricultural non-CO2 emission reduction potential in the context of the 1.5 °C target

Stefan Frank*, Petr Havlík, Elke Stehfest, Hans van Meijl, Peter Witzke, Ignacio Pérez-Domínguez, Michiel van Dijk, Jonathan C. Doelman, Thomas Fellmann, Jason F.L. Koopman, Andrzej Tabeau, Hugo Valin

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

194 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Agricultural methane and nitrous oxide emissions represent around 10–12% of total anthropogenic GHG emissions and have a key role to play in achieving a 1.5 °C (above pre-industrial) climate stabilization target. Using a multi-model assessment approach, we quantify the potential contribution of agriculture to the 1.5 °C target and decompose the mitigation potential by emission source, region and mitigation mechanism. The results show that the livestock sector will be vital to achieve emission reductions consistent with the 1.5 °C target mainly through emission-reducing technologies or structural changes. Agriculture may contribute emission reductions of 0.8–1.4 Gt of CO2-equivalent (CO2e) yr−1 at just US$20 per tCO2e in 2050. Combined with dietary changes, emission reductions can be increased to 1.7–1.8 GtCO2e yr−1. At carbon prices compatible with the 1.5 °C target, agriculture could even provide average emission savings of 3.9 GtCO2e yr−1 in 2050, which represents around 8% of current GHG emissions.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)66-72
Number of pages7
JournalNature Climate Change
Volume9
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2019

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Agricultural non-CO2 emission reduction potential in the context of the 1.5 °C target'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this