Carbon footprint calculation of a dairy farm
Úlfarsson, Tómas Ingi (2023)
2023
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Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052413518
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2023052413518
Tiivistelmä
The objective of the thesis was to calculate the carbon emissions of a dairy farm in Finland and find ways to reduce the greenhouse gas emissions from the farm. Data on the farm’s production and management practices were collected and analysed. With the help of an online carbon footprint calculator, the annual farm’s emitted greenhouse gas emissions were calculated.
The results of the thesis indicate that most of the emissions originate from the production of feed, manure management, and enteric fermentation. Methane counted for 60 per cent of the emissions, and carbon dioxide approximately one-third when converted into carbon dioxide equivalent CO2e. The results of the thesis show how it is possible to calculate a farm’s carbon footprint and identify the sectors or actions responsible for emitting the most emissions using data from the farm and free online carbon footprint calculators.
Overall, this thesis contributes to understanding emitted greenhouse gas emissions from Finnish agriculture by providing a case study of carbon calculations of a dairy farm. The results can be used for further improvements in farm management and reduction of the farm’s emissions and be an inspiring example for other farms to calculate their carbon footprint using their data.
The results of the thesis indicate that most of the emissions originate from the production of feed, manure management, and enteric fermentation. Methane counted for 60 per cent of the emissions, and carbon dioxide approximately one-third when converted into carbon dioxide equivalent CO2e. The results of the thesis show how it is possible to calculate a farm’s carbon footprint and identify the sectors or actions responsible for emitting the most emissions using data from the farm and free online carbon footprint calculators.
Overall, this thesis contributes to understanding emitted greenhouse gas emissions from Finnish agriculture by providing a case study of carbon calculations of a dairy farm. The results can be used for further improvements in farm management and reduction of the farm’s emissions and be an inspiring example for other farms to calculate their carbon footprint using their data.