Spatially explicit global assessment of cropland greenhouse gas emissions circa 2020
Year: 2026
Type: article
Abstract: Spatially explicit cropland greenhouse gas emission data are essential for identifying emission hotspots and guiding sustainable mitigation strategies. Here we develop high-resolution (5 arcmin) global maps of cropland emissions across 46 crop classes in 2020 by integrating sectoral datasets on synthetic fertilizer, manure, crop residue, in-field burning, rice cultivation and cultivated drained peatlands. Global croplands emitted 2.5 (95% CI 2.4–2.7) GtCO 2 e yr −1 , with drained peatlands (35%), rice paddies (35%) and synthetic fertilizer (23%) as the primary contributors. Four crops—rice, maize, oil palm and wheat—accounted for 67% of total emissions. Emission areal intensities averaged 2 MgCO 2 e ha − 1 globally, with higher intensities in Asia and Europe, where croplands also achieved high caloric productivity. Spatial correlations between emission intensity and production efficiency reveal geographic trade-offs between mitigation potential and food production. The resulting dataset establishes a unified global framework for a spatially explicit assessment of agricultural emissions and efficiency.
Source: Nature Climate Change
Institutions: Cornell University, New York State College of Agriculture & Life Sciences, Cornell Atkinson Center for Sustainability, Colorado State University, New York University, University of Minnesota, University of Aberdeen, Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, International Food Policy Research Institute, Huazhong Agricultural University
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDGs: Climate action, Zero hunger
Open Access status: hybrid
Estimated APC paid: $12,690
OpenAlex ID: W7128801211