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 measured nitrous oxide emissions from cattle excreta under UK conditions and derived country-specific emission factors that differ from IPCC defaults. The findings suggest that UK national inventory calculations and carbon footprinting methodologies for ruminant livestock may require revision to reflect more accurate, locally-derived emission data. The research contributes to improving the precision of greenhouse gas accounting in agricultural systems.

UK applicability

The study was conducted in the United Kingdom and directly quantified UK-specific emission factors, making findings immediately applicable to UK national greenhouse gas inventory reporting and to carbon footprinting of British ruminant livestock products. The deviation from IPCC defaults has direct policy implications for UK climate reporting and livestock sector carbon accounting.

Key measures

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) emission factors from cattle urine and dung; comparison to IPCC default emission factors

Outcomes reported

The study quantified country-specific emission factors for nitrous oxide from cattle urine and dung, and compared these to IPCC defaults. The findings have direct implications for UK national greenhouse gas inventories and carbon footprinting of ruminant livestock products.

Theme
Climate & resilience
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
BFmowc1zyw-mqzpc7

Topic tags

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