Cost-effective abatement of nitrous oxide and methane from European agriculture considering interrelations with ammonia abatement

Agriculture is an important source of emissions of the greenhouse gases nitrous oxide (N2O) and methane (CH4) as well as ammonia (NH3), which contributes to acidification and eutrophication. Controlling emissions of one of these pollutants through application of technical measures can have an impact (either beneficial or adverse) on emissions of the others. These side effects are usually ignored in policy making. This study analyses cost-effective strategies to reduce agricultural emissions of N2O and CH4 in Europe, taking into account interrelations between abatement of N2O, CH4 and NH3 in agriculture. The model we used is based on the RAINS model for air pollution in Europe, which includes information on emission sources and abatement options for NH3. Our model also includes emissions of N2O and CH4 from agriculture and technical measures to reduce these emissions. For all abatement options side-effects on other emissions were considered. The model was used to calculate abatement strategies to meet restrictions on emission levels at least cost. We found that abatement of CH4 and N2O from agriculture in Europe is more expensive when reductions in NH3 emissions have to be obtained simultaneously. Moreover, total costs seem to be much higher if NH3 abatement strategies are determined first and subsequently abatement strategies for CH4 and N2O. Reductions in CH4, N2O and NH3 can be realized at lower overall costs if abatement strategies for these emissions are determined using an integrated approach