Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Tier 3 — Observational / field trialPeer-reviewed

The contribution of cattle urine and dung to nitrous oxide emissions: Quantification of country specific emission factors and implications for national inventories

David R. Chadwick, L. M. Cardenas, M.S. Dhanoa, N. Donovan, T. H. Misselbrook, J. R. Williams, R. E. Thorman, Karen McGeough, Catherine J. Watson, M.J. Bell, S.G. Anthony, Robert M. Rees

The Science of The Total Environment · 2018

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Summary

This peer-reviewed study presents quantified nitrous oxide emissions from cattle excreta under United Kingdom conditions, deriving country-specific emission factors that differ from IPCC defaults. The findings have direct implications for the accuracy of UK national greenhouse gas inventories and for carbon footprinting of domestically-produced ruminant livestock products. The work suggests that adoption of these UK-derived factors could refine emissions accounting in national climate reporting.

UK applicability

The findings are directly applicable to UK conditions, as the study was conducted within the United Kingdom. The derived country-specific emission factors are intended to replace IPCC defaults in UK national inventory submissions and in carbon footprinting schemes for UK ruminant products.

Key measures

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission factors from cattle urine and dung; country-specific emission factors; comparison with IPCC default values

Outcomes reported

The study quantified nitrous oxide emissions from cattle urine and dung under UK conditions and derived country-specific emission factors. These factors were compared to IPCC default values to assess implications for national greenhouse gas inventory reporting.

Theme
Measurement & metrics
Subject
Climate & greenhouse gas mitigation
Study type
Research
Study design
Field trial
Source type
Peer-reviewed study
Status
Published
Geography
United Kingdom
System type
Pasture-based livestock
DOI
10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.04.152
Catalogue ID
BFmor3fy0h-254k6y

Topic tags

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