Estimation of nitrous oxide and methane emission from livestock of urban agriculture in Beijing

Livestock farming systems are major sources of heat trapping greenhouse gases (GHG) and the attendant global warming. From 2007 to 2009, the total quantity of GHG emissions from livestock sector in Beijing was 1.67 Tg CO2e yr−1, of which N2ON and CH4 emissions were 1.04 Gg yr−1 (489 Gg CO2e yr−1) and 47.25 Gg yr−1 (1181.25 Gg CO2e yr−1), respectively. The emission intensity per 10,000 RMB was 1.2 Mg CO2e, which accounted for 63% of the averaged value of 1.9 Mg CO2e in Beijing. Consequently, Beijing's modern urban agriculture has made progress to some extent. To reduce GHG emissions from the livestock sector, relevant strategies such as improving rearing technologies, breeding, strengthening management and developing large-scale biogas industry should be considered. Theoretical, biogas industry could offset about 80% of GHG emissions from livestock sector, yet there are some barriers, which need to be overcome to enhance cooperation among government agencies, market organizations and livestock enterprises. Furthermore, it is both essential and feasible to adopt a healthy lifestyle, clean cooking, and low-C food systems to mitigate and reduce GHG emissions.

► We estimated the emissions of N2O and CH4 from livestock of urban agriculture in Beijing.
► Beijing's modern urban agriculture has made some progress.
► Comprehensive strategies should be adopted to mitigate GHG emissions.
► Theoretically, biogas industry could offset ∼80% of GHG emissions from livestock sector. Some barriers need to be overcome among some stakeholders.