Reduction of CO2 emission by improving energy use efficiency of greenhouse cucumber production using DEA approach

• Input–output energy and energy use efficiency in cucumber greenhouses were investigated.
• Total input and output energies were calculated as 1667164.8 MJ ha−1 and 151846.2 MJ ha−1.
• An average 407916.3 MJ ha−1 from energy input could be saved without reducing the yield.
• The total GHG emission can be reduced from 45177.3 kg CO2eq ha−1 to 34995.9 kg CO2eq ha−1.

The main purpose of this study was to determine energy use efficiency in greenhouse cucumber production using a non-parametric production function. Energy use efficiency of greenhouse cucumber producers was studied and degrees of technical efficiency (TE), pure technical efficiency (PTE) and scale efficiency (SE) were determined using data envelopment analysis (DEA). Additionally, wasteful uses of energy inputs were assessed and energy saving from different sources was computed. Furthermore, the effect of energy optimization on CO2 emission as one of the major greenhouse gases (GHG) was investigated and total amount of CO2 emission was calculated. Average of total input and output energies were calculated as 1667164.8 MJ ha−1 and 151846.2 MJ ha−1. Energy use pattern indicated that natural gas and electricity were the main energy inputs. Based on the results 24.46% (407916.3 MJ ha−1) of overall energy resources can be saved if the performance of inefficient farms is enhanced. Additionally, the total CO2 emission was calculated as 45177.3 kg CO2eq ha−1. Finally it was concluded that, by energy optimization the total energy consumption can be reduced to the value of 1,259,248 MJ ha−1 and correspondingly the total CO2 emission is reduced to value of 34995.9 kg CO2eq ha−1.