Examining the carbon footprint of rice production and consumption in Hubei, China: A life cycle assessment and uncertainty analysis approach. (15th December 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Zhang, Lu; Ruiz-Menjivar, Jorge; Tong, Qingmeng; Zhang, Junbiao; Yue, Meng
• Is Part Of: Journal of environmental management. Volume 300(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-12-15
• Subjects: Rice -- Life cycle assessment -- Carbon footprint -- Uncertainty analysis -- Hubei -- China; Environmental policy -- Periodicals; Environmental management -- Periodicals; Environment -- Periodicals; Ecology -- Periodicals; 363.705
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2021.113698
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0301-4797

Abstract

Abstract: This study aimed to quantify greenhouse gas emissions derived from the production-consumption of rice in Hubei—a major rice-producing province in central China. This research employed primary and secondary data collection methods. Primary data sources included interviews and experimental observations from seven counties in Hubei collected from June 2016 to December 2016. Secondary data sources—including national datasets, inter-governmental reports, and peer-reviewed articles—were used to extract relevant data, such as emission factors, and national and provincial rice output. Life Cycle Assessment was employed to build a comprehensive inventory and map of the rice carbon footprint, including the following five stages: production inputs, farm management, growth period, processing and sale, and consumption. Uncertainty analysis was performed to validate the reliability of carbon footprint estimations. Results showed that the carbon footprint for every 1 ton of polished rice in Hubei ranged between 4.19–6.81 t CO2 e/t and was 5.39 t CO2 e/t on average. Greenhouse gas emissions were primarily produced from rice fields during the growth stage (over 60% of greenhouse gas emissions of the whole life cycle of rice), followed by the consumption stage, and the production and transportation of agricultural inputs. Uncertainty analysis estimations indicated acceptable levels of reliability. This study's results indicate that the production and consumption of rice is a significant contributor to agricultural carbon emissions in Hubei—consistent with national estimates that place China as the largest carbon dioxide emitter globally. This research provides further insight into future policies and targeted initiatives for the efficient use of low-carbon agricultural inputs for rice production and consumption stages in China. Highlights: Polished rice's carbon footprint in Hubei ranged from 4.19 to 6.81 t CO2 e/t, with an average estimate of 5.39 t CO2 e/t. Rice fields produced over 60% of the total GHG emissions produced during the whole life cycle of rice in Hubei. Based on our 2018 estimates, rice's life cycle produced 0.07 billion tons of CO2 and 0.73 in Hubei and China, respectively. The whole life cycle of rice represented approximately 7.29% of total CO2 emissions in China. Programs to reduce GHG emissions derived from the life cycle of rice should particularly target the growth period.