2023/12/04 by Sylvain Pellerin, Pellerin, Sylvain, Laure Bamière +44
Environmental Science · #0 #Agriculture Sustainability and Environmental Impact
paper · doi:10.17180/pp8t-2j76
openalex created_date 2016/06/24 · openalex publication_date 2023/12/04 · openalex updated_date 2026/07/22
About 20% of French emissions of greenhouse gases (GHG) originate from the agricultural sector. Ten technical measures, split into 26 sub-measures, were proposed to reduce GHG emissions from French agriculture over the period 2010-2030. Their abatement potential and cost for the farmer were compared. The proposed measures were linked to nitrogen management, management practices which increase carbon storage in soils and biomass, livestock diets and energy production and consumption on farms. The overall abatement potential can be broken down into three parts. One third of the cumulated abatement potential corresponds to sub-measures with a negative technical cost. These submeasures are based on an improved efficiency of inputs like N fertilizers, animal feed and energy. The second part corresponds to sub-measures with a moderate cost (<€25 per metric ton of CO2e avoided). These sub-measures require specific investments or modifying the cropping system slightly more, but additional costs or lower incomes are partially compensated for by a reduction in other costs or additional marketable products. The third part corresponds to sub-measures with a high cost (>€25 per metric ton of CO2e avoided). These sub-measures require investment with no direct financial return, the purchase of specific inputs, dedicated labour time or involve greater production losses.