Work

Biomethane produced from maize grown on peat emits more CO2 than natural gas

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: Cultivation of maize for biomethane production has expanded rapidly, including on drained peat soils. The resulting soil CO2 emissions at the point of feedstock production are largely overlooked when assessing biogas climate mitigation potential. Based on field-scale flux measurements, we calculate that soil CO2 emissions from biomethane feedstock production on drained peat exceed embodied emissions for an equivalent amount of natural gas by up to a factor of three.

Source: Nature Climate Change

DOI: 10.1038/s41558-024-02111-1

Authors: Chris D. Evans, Rebecca L. Rowe, Benjamin W. J. Freeman, Jennifer M. Rhymes, Alex Cumming, Isobel L. Lloyd, Daniel Morton, Jennifer L. Williamson, Ross Morrison

Institutions: UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology, University of Leeds

Language: English

Topic: Peatlands and Wetlands Ecology

Subfield: Ecology

Field: Environmental Science

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Climate action, Responsible consumption and production, Affordable and clean energy, Zero hunger, Life on land

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $12,290

Funders: UK Research and Innovation, Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, UK Government, Sight Research UK, Natural Environment Research Council

Awards: G1253106297, G3283197364, G4312533265, G4815814739, G5013286249, G5360547733, PANORAMA - A Yorkshire partnership for training in environmental careers, Managing agricultural systems on lowland peat for decreased greenhouse gas emissions whilst maintaining agricultural productivity

OpenAlex ID: W4402355802

FWCI: 1.087

Cites: 10

Cited by: 4

Related to: 10