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China’s Tea Industry: Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Potential

Author

Listed:
  • Long Liang

    (The Strategy Research Institute of Rural Revitalization, Guizhou University of Finance and Economics, Guiyang 550025, China)

  • Bradley G. Ridoutt

    (Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), Clayton South, VIC 3169, Australia
    Department of Agricultural Economics, University of the Free State, Bloemfontein 9300, South Africa)

  • Liyuan Wang

    (Shanghai Academy of Agricultural Science, Shanghai 201403, China)

  • Bin Xie

    (College of Resources and Environmental Sciences, China Agricultural University, Beijing 100193, China)

  • Minghong Li

    (Economic Crops Station of Luzhou City, Luzhou 646000, China)

  • Zhongbai Li

    (Bureau of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of Panzhou City, Panzhou 553537, China)

Abstract

Tea is an important cash crop and a beverage that is widely consumed across the world. In China (the largest producer of tea), the industry is growing, and there is a need to understand current greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and sequestrations and the potential for mitigation so that climate action can be strategically undertaken. Life cycle assessment and carbon footprint methods were used to quantify emissions in tea cultivation and processing in the 16 major producing regions for the year 2017. The system boundary was from cradle to factory gate, which was divided into three subsystems, namely agricultural materials production, tea production and tea processing. Several units of analysis were chosen: the production region (province), the production area (ha) and the product (kg loose tea), etc. Total GHG emissions were 28.75 Mt CO 2 eq, which were mainly attributable to energy use in tea processing (41%), fertilizer production (31.6%) and soil emissions (26.7%). This equated to 12.0 t CO 2 eq per ha and 10.8 kg CO 2 eq per kg processed tea. Production in Hubei, Yunan, Guizhou, Sichuan and Fujian provinces contributed almost two thirds of industry emissions, representing priority areas for strategic action to reduce GHG emissions. At the same time, the total carbon sink amounted to 21.37 MtCO 2 , representing 74.3% of total GHG emissions. The proportions stored in soil, biomass, and tea production were 49.3%, 30.0%, and 20.7%, respectively. If best recommended management practices for fertilizer application were adopted and biomass was used as a source of energy for tea processing, the GHG emissions reduction potential was 16.66 Mt CO 2 eq, or 58% of total emissions. The GHG emissions associated with tea production and processing in China appeared high by comparison to other regions of the world. However, considering the carbon sink and emissions reduction potential, the tea industry should be viewed as an important sector for climate action. Moreover, the potential for substantial GHG emissions reduction through the adoption of improved practices seems very realistic. There may also be additional opportunities for GHG emissions reduction through the development of organic tea cultivation systems.

Suggested Citation

  • Long Liang & Bradley G. Ridoutt & Liyuan Wang & Bin Xie & Minghong Li & Zhongbai Li, 2021. "China’s Tea Industry: Net Greenhouse Gas Emissions and Mitigation Potential," Agriculture, MDPI, vol. 11(4), pages 1-18, April.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jagris:v:11:y:2021:i:4:p:363-:d:537669
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