The Effects of Different Management and Processing Methods on the Carbon Footprint of Chinese Hickory

Ruizhi Xu, Haitao Shi, Wenzhe Dai, Yangen Chen, Sha Huang, Guomo Zhou, Yufeng Zhou and Yongjun Shi ()
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Ruizhi Xu: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Haitao Shi: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Wenzhe Dai: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Yangen Chen: Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Lin’an District, Hangzhou 311300, China
Sha Huang: Agriculture and Rural Bureau of Lin’an District, Hangzhou 311300, China
Guomo Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Yufeng Zhou: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China
Yongjun Shi: State Key Laboratory of Subtropical Silviculture, Zhejiang A&F University, Hangzhou 311300, China

Sustainability, 2024, vol. 16, issue 23, 1-17

Abstract: Amidst the global shift towards a low-carbon development trajectory, the hickory industry in Lin’an District is progressively embracing green, low-carbon, and sustainable practices. This study, leveraging the life cycle assessment (LCA) methodology, meticulously scrutinizes the carbon footprint of the hickory industry by segmenting its life cycle into two distinct subsystems: the plantation and the factory. Through comprehensive, year-long monitoring of soil greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in hickory plantations, our findings underscore that while total GHG emissions from eco-complex management (ECM) surpassed those of intensive management (IM) by 10.7% ( p < 0.001), ECM significantly mitigated the carbon footprint per kilogram of hickory produced, achieving a reduction of 1.0495 kgCO 2 eq. This advantage is primarily attributable to ECM’s diminished reliance on chemical fertilizers. Within the factory subsystem, when processing 1 kg of hickory, the digital factory incurred a carbon footprint of 2.5923 kgCO 2 eq kg −1 , whereas family workshops exhibited a lower footprint of 1.9544 kgCO 2 eq kg −1 . Notably, the processing and packaging stages collectively accounted for over 90% of the factory subsystem’s carbon emissions, with natural gas being the primary contributor during processing. To estimate the carbon emission reduction potential within the hickory industry, this research draws parallels with emission reduction strategies employed by other industries and outlines tailored strategies to propel its low-carbon development. By advocating for the widespread adoption of ECM and enhancing the energy efficiency of processing enterprises, the hickory industry can effectively diminish its carbon footprint and steer towards a green, low-carbon, and high-quality development paradigm.

Keywords: hickory; GHG; carbon footprint; life cycle assessment; climate change (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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