Review of research to inform California's climate scoping plan: Agriculture and working lands

• Main Authors: Ryan Byrnes, Valerie Eviner, Ermias Kebreab, William R. Horwath, Louise Jackson, Bryan M. Jenkins, Stephen Kaffka, Amber Kerr, Josette Lewis, Frank M. Mitloehner, Jeffrey P. Mitchell, Kate M. Scow, Kerri L. Steenwerth, Stephen Wheeler
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: University of California Agriculture and Natural Resources 2017-09-01
• Series: California Agriculture
• Subjects: Farms and Farming Systems; rangelands; Greenhouse gas emissions; carbon sequestration
• Online Access: http://calag.ucanr.edu/archive/?article=ca.2017a0031
• ISSN: 0008-0845; 2160-8091

Agriculture in California contributes 8% of the state's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. To inform the state's policy and program strategy to meet climate targets, we review recent research on practices that can reduce emissions, sequester carbon and provide other co-benefits to producers and the environment across agriculture and rangeland systems. Importantly, the research reviewed here was conducted in California and addresses practices in our specific agricultural, socioeconomic and biophysical environment. Farmland conversion and the dairy and intensive livestock sector are the largest contributors to GHG emissions and offer the greatest opportunities for avoided emissions. We also identify a range of other opportunities including soil and nutrient management, integrated and diversified farming systems, rangeland management, and biomass-based energy generation. Additional research to replicate and quantify the emissions reduction or carbon sequestration potential of these practices will strengthen the evidence base for California climate policy.