Climate change is intensifying droughts, posing risks to agricultural sectors. The dairy industry, a major contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions, is particularly vulnerable. COVERE² project investigates the impact of early season droughts on the carbon footprint of milk production in northern Europe.

Early Season Droughts and Impact on Carbon Footprint

Early season droughts reduce forage crop yields, forcing farmers to purchase additional feed, increasing the carbon footprint. Moreover, increased fertilizer uses to compensate for drought-related losses further contributes to emissions.

LCA study based on the University of Helsinki's Viikki Research Farm compared data from two growing seasons (2022 and 2023) – one with early season drought and another with more rainfall. Results showed a significant decrease in oat and barley yields during the drought year. While grass silage production was also affected, later season rains helped mitigate the impact. Notably, GHG emissions per hectare of feed production were considerably higher in the drought year, likely due to the effect of lower crop yields.

New research from the COVERE² project was presented at the 14th international conference LCA Food 2024 by Yajie Gao (Image: Yajie Gao)

Mitigating the Effects and Building Resilience

To mitigate the effects of early season droughts, adopting sustainable practices is crucial. Increasing grass-based feed and implementing soil moisture retention techniques can help reduce the carbon footprint. Collaboration between farmers, scientists, and policymakers is essential for developing effective solutions.

Insights from LCA Food 2024

The LCA Food 2024 conference emphasized the importance of using LCA to assess the environmental impact of milk production and the need for collaborative action to build sustainable food systems. By adopting sustainable practices and fostering collaboration, the dairy industry can navigate the challenges of climate change and ensure a more resilient and environmentally friendly future.

LCA Food international conference brought together life cycle assessment researchers in September 2024 in Barcelona.