Key Takeaways:
- Irrigation is a key strategy for reducing crop vulnerability to drought and heat, important in the context of climate change.
- However, irrigation, particularly through pump energy use, contributes to greenhouse gas emissions.
- A study by Driscoll et al. in 2024 calculated US county-level emissions from irrigation energy, revealing significant emissions largely due to groundwater pumping.
- Emissions from irrigation pump energy in the US were 12.6 million metric tonnes CO2e in 2018.
- The study suggests that future reductions in electrical grid emissions could significantly reduce irrigation-related emissions.
Overview of the Irrigation-Emission Conflict
The recent study by Driscoll et al., published in 2024, addresses a critical conflict in agricultural practices: the need for irrigation as a climate change adaptation strategy and its contribution to greenhouse gas emissions. Irrigation is vital for mitigating crop stress due to drought and heat, yet it also leads to significant emissions, particularly from pump energy use.
Irrigation and Emissions in US Agriculture
The research focused on the United States, where irrigation pump energy use resulted in 12.6 million metric tonnes of CO2e in 2018. These emissions are primarily associated with groundwater pumping, driven by factors like groundwater reliance, the extent of irrigated areas, water demand, fuel choice, and electrical grid emissions intensity.
Future Projections and Reduction Strategies
Notably, the study projects a potential 46% reduction in pumping emissions by 2050 due to anticipated decreases in electrical grid emissions intensity. Additionally, further reductions are possible through the electrification of pumps. These findings highlight the importance of integrating emission reduction strategies with expanding climate-smart irrigation practices.
Read the complete study here on Irrigation and Emissions in US Agriculture.
Photo by Vidar Nordli-Mathisen on Unsplash
