Budgeting anthropogenic greenhouse gas emission from Indian livestock using country-specific emission coefficients

Abstract

Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from the livestock sector are confined to enteric fermentation and manure management. The present inventory is focused on estimation of GHGs using country-specific emission factors for ruminants based on Indian Feeding Standards as a measure of gross energy intake. The thrust is on uncertainty reduction by adopting country-specific animal performance data leading to the development of more refined emission factors. The estimated GHG emission is 9.0 Tg methane and 1 Gg nitrous oxide for the year 1997, and in terms of CO 2 equivalent it is around 190 Tg. Methane emission is the dominant one, while nitrous oxide is negligible. Enteric fermentation is the major source of methane, accounting for 90% of total methane compared to 10% from manure management. Ruminants, especially bovines are the largest source (91%). The estimate also highlights hotspots, emission density, methane emissions from dairy and non-dairy bovines, milk yield vs methane, which are useful in formulating mitigation strategies. The abatement option in the Indian context is also highlighted.