Refined greenhouse gas reporting informs policy and mitigation measures to reduce emissions from agriculture

Impact: Environmental

Description of impact

Underpinning Research: 
Research underpinning greenhouse gas (GHG) emission calculations has improved the accuracy of estimates from UK agricultural systems and showed soil-derived emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O) are lower than previously estimated.
Significance and Reach of Impact: 
Improved understanding of the sources of agricultural GHGs allows targeted control measures aimed at reducing overall emissions. Our research made an important contribution to the UK and Scottish Government’s development of GHG mitigation support policies (Committee on Climate Change report 2019; the Scottish Climate Change Plan 2018). As a result, the developed policies focus more on mitigating methane (CH4) emissions from livestock production rather than N2O soil-derived emissions. Internationally, our research has informed the United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change GHG reporting guidelines and been adopted by the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
A joint submission with the University of Edinburgh to REF2021.
Impact date2017 → 2020
Category of impactEnvironmental

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