IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jsusta/v15y2023i5p4118-d1079099.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Sustainable Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Small Ruminants Farming

Author

Listed:
  • Elisavet Giamouri

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Foivos Zisis

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Christina Mitsiopoulou

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Christos Christodoulou

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Athanasios C. Pappas

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Panagiotis E. Simitzis

    (Laboratory of Animal Breeding & Husbandry, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Charalampos Kamilaris

    (Centre for Innovation Excellence in Livestock, Innovation Centre, York Science Park, Innovation Way, Heslington, York YO10 5DG, UK)

  • Fenia Galliou

    (Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Thrassyvoulos Manios

    (Department of Agriculture, Hellenic Mediterranean University, 71410 Heraklion, Greece)

  • Alexandros Mavrommatis

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

  • Eleni Tsiplakou

    (Laboratory of Nutritional Physiology and Feeding, Department of Animal Science, Agricultural University of Athens, Iera Odos 75, 11855 Athens, Greece)

Abstract

During the previous decades, the growing demand for animal origin products has gained considerable attention. As a result, livestock breeding has faced a rapid intensification in order to fulfil market expectations. This increase in livestock production has led to a large scale of manure that is associated with many environmental impacts, such as climate change, to an increase of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions. Livestock production is considered to generate significant amounts of GHG, mainly carbon dioxide (CO 2 ), methane (CH 4 ) and nitrous oxide (N 2 O). Methane and nitrous oxide are the main emissions from livestock systems. Ruminants contribute highly to total livestock emissions. In the present study, the contribution of livestock and especially of the small ruminants in GHG emissions is reviewed. Additionally, useful sustainable strategies for farming and feeding of small ruminants are highlighted. Some of the practices discussed include but are not limited to efficient manure management, the replacement of mineral fertilizers by farm manure, the improvement of feed efficiency and provision of feed supplements. Moreover, the use of food waste or agro-industrial by-products is discussed as a sustainable strategy.

Suggested Citation

  • Elisavet Giamouri & Foivos Zisis & Christina Mitsiopoulou & Christos Christodoulou & Athanasios C. Pappas & Panagiotis E. Simitzis & Charalampos Kamilaris & Fenia Galliou & Thrassyvoulos Manios & Alex, 2023. "Sustainable Strategies for Greenhouse Gas Emission Reduction in Small Ruminants Farming," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 15(5), pages 1-22, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4118-:d:1079099
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/5/4118/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2071-1050/15/5/4118/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Yuanlong Cui & Elmer Theo & Tugba Gurler & Yuehong Su & Riffat Saffa, 2020. "A comprehensive review on renewable and sustainable heating systems for poultry farming," International Journal of Low-Carbon Technologies, Oxford University Press, vol. 15(1), pages 121-142.
    2. Marta Castrica & Doriana E. A. Tedesco & Sara Panseri & Giovanni Ferrazzi & Vera Ventura & Dario G. Frisio & Claudia M. Balzaretti, 2018. "Pet Food as the Most Concrete Strategy for Using Food Waste as Feedstuff within the European Context: A Feasibility Study," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(6), pages 1-10, June.
    3. Alexandros Mavrommatis & Dimitrios Skliros & Marica Simoni & Federico Righi & Emmanouil Flemetakis & Eleni Tsiplakou, 2021. "Alterations in the Rumen Particle-Associated Microbiota of Goats in Response to Dietary Supplementation Levels of Schizochytrium spp," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(2), pages 1-17, January.
    4. Lovett, D.K. & Shalloo, L. & Dillon, P. & O'Mara, F.P., 2006. "A systems approach to quantify greenhouse gas fluxes from pastoral dairy production as affected by management regime," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 88(2-3), pages 156-179, June.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Danilo Bertoni & Daniele Cavicchioli & Franco Donzelli & Giovanni Ferrazzi & Dario G. Frisio & Roberto Pretolani & Elena Claire Ricci & Vera Ventura, 2018. "Recent Contributions of Agricultural Economics Research in the Field of Sustainable Development," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 8(12), pages 1-20, December.
    2. Innocent Bakam & Robin Matthews, 2009. "Emission trading in agriculture: a study of design options using an agent-based approach," Mitigation and Adaptation Strategies for Global Change, Springer, vol. 14(8), pages 755-776, December.
    3. Mack, G. & Rossier, R., 2017. "Entspricht die Schweizer Milchproduktion bei erhöhtem Kraftfuttereinsatz noch den Erwartungen der Bevölkerung?," Proceedings “Schriften der Gesellschaft für Wirtschafts- und Sozialwissenschaften des Landbaues e.V.”, German Association of Agricultural Economists (GEWISOLA), vol. 45, July.
    4. Thomassen, M.A. & Dolman, M.A. & van Calker, K.J. & de Boer, I.J.M., 2009. "Relating life cycle assessment indicators to gross value added for Dutch dairy farms," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 68(8-9), pages 2278-2284, June.
    5. Santeramo, Fabio Gaetano & Lamonaca, Emilia & Tappi, Marco & Di Gioia, Leonardo, 2020. "On the Environmental Impacts of Voluntary Animal-based Policies in the EU: Technical and Political Considerations," MPRA Paper 99932, University Library of Munich, Germany.
    6. Tiago G. Morais & Ricardo F. M. Teixeira & Nuno R. Rodrigues & Tiago Domingos, 2018. "Carbon Footprint of Milk from Pasture-Based Dairy Farms in Azores, Portugal," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 10(10), pages 1-22, October.
    7. Gabriele Mack & Albert Zimmermann & Christoph Moriz, 2009. "Wie nachhaltig ist der Kraftfuttereinsatz in der Milchviehhaltung?," Journal of Socio-Economics in Agriculture (Until 2015: Yearbook of Socioeconomics in Agriculture), Swiss Society for Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology, vol. 2(1), pages 177-204.
    8. Breen, James P., 2008. "Simulating a Market for Tradable Greenhouse Gas Emissions Permits amongst Irish Farmers," 82nd Annual Conference, March 31 - April 2, 2008, Royal Agricultural College, Cirencester, UK 36770, Agricultural Economics Society.
    9. Fabio Gaetano Santeramo & Emilia Lamonaca & Marco Tappi & Leonardo Di Gioia, 2019. "Considerations on the Environmental and Social Sustainability of Animal-Based Policies," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 11(8), pages 1-12, April.
    10. Sasichakorn Wongsaichia & Phaninee Naruetharadhol & Peerapong Wongthahan & Chavis Ketkaew, 2022. "Ideating A Sustainable Swine Feed Prototype: A Qualitative Approach in Farmers’ Pain Point Identification and Product Development," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(7), pages 1-21, March.
    11. Doriana Eurosia Angela Tedesco & Sveva Scarioni & Aldo Tava & Sara Panseri & Antonio Zuorro, 2021. "Fruit and Vegetable Wholesale Market Waste: Safety and Nutritional Characterisation for Their Potential Re-Use in Livestock Nutrition," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(16), pages 1-12, August.
    12. Karel Diéguez-Santana & Liliana B. Sarduy-Pereira & Neyfe Sablón-Cossío & Horacio Bautista-Santos & Fabiola Sánchez-Galván & Sebastiana del Monserrate Ruíz Cedeño, 2022. "Evaluation of the Circular Economy in a Pitahaya Agri-Food Chain," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(5), pages 1-17, March.
    13. Marcin Bukowski & Janusz Majewski & Agnieszka Sobolewska, 2021. "Macroeconomic Efficiency of Photovoltaic Energy Production in Polish Farms," Energies, MDPI, vol. 14(18), pages 1-19, September.
    14. Dakpo, Hervé K & Jeanneaux, Philippe & Latruffe, Laure, 2014. "Inclusion of undesirable outputs in production technology modeling: The case of greenhouse gas emissions in French meat sheep farming," Working Papers 207806, Institut National de la recherche Agronomique (INRA), Departement Sciences Sociales, Agriculture et Alimentation, Espace et Environnement (SAE2).
    15. Breen, James P. & Donnellan, Trevor & Westhoff, Patrick C., 2012. "Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Irish Agriculture: A market-based approach," 2012 Conference, August 18-24, 2012, Foz do Iguacu, Brazil 130555, International Association of Agricultural Economists.
    16. Benedetta Esposito & Maria Rosaria Sessa & Daniela Sica & Ornella Malandrino, 2020. "Towards Circular Economy in the Agri-Food Sector. A Systematic Literature Review," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 12(18), pages 1-21, September.
    17. Francesco Galioto & Chiara Paffarini & Massimo Chiorri & Biancamaria Torquati & Lucio Cecchini, 2017. "Economic, Environmental, and Animal Welfare Performance on Livestock Farms: Conceptual Model and Application to Some Case Studies in Italy," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 9(9), pages 1-22, September.
    18. Lambotte, Mathieu & De Cara, Stéphane & Brocas, Catherine & Bellassen, Valentin, 2021. "Carbon footprint and economic performance of dairy farms: The case of protected designation of origin farms in France," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 186(C).
    19. White, Robin R., 2016. "Increasing energy and protein use efficiency improves opportunities to decrease land use, water use, and greenhouse gas emissions from dairy production," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 146(C), pages 20-29.
    20. Stefan Wirsenius & Fredrik Hedenus & Kristina Mohlin, 2011. "Greenhouse gas taxes on animal food products: rationale, tax scheme and climate mitigation effects," Climatic Change, Springer, vol. 108(1), pages 159-184, September.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:15:y:2023:i:5:p:4118-:d:1079099. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.