Environmental footprints of soybean production in China

Qian Zhang, Jinglan Hong, Tianzuo Zhang, Xu Tian, Yong Geng (), Wei Chen (), Yijie Zhai, Wenjing Liu, Xiaoxu Shen and Yueyang Bai
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Qian Zhang: Shandong Normal University
Jinglan Hong: Shandong University
Tianzuo Zhang: Shandong University
Xu Tian: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Yong Geng: Shanghai Jiao Tong University
Wei Chen: Shandong Normal University
Yijie Zhai: Shandong University
Wenjing Liu: Beijing Municipal Finance of Beijing
Xiaoxu Shen: Shandong University
Yueyang Bai: Shandong University

Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, 2023, vol. 25, issue 9, No 6, 9047-9065

Abstract: Abstract As a significant protein source for humans and animals, soybean (Glycine max) has experienced a fast growth with the rapid development of population and economy. Despite broad interest in energy consumption and CO2 emissions generated by soybean production, there are few impact-oriented water footprint assessments of soybean production. This study evaluates the fossil energy, carbon, and water footprints of China’s soybean production so that key environmental impacts can be identified. To provide reliable results for decision-making, uncertainty analysis is conducted based on the Monte Carlo model. Results show that the impact on climate change, ecosystem quality, human health, and resources is 3.33 × 103 kg CO2 eq (GSD2 = 1.87), 6.18 × 10−5 Species·yr (GSD2 = 1.81), 3.26 × 10−3 Disability-adjusted Life Years (GSD2 = 1.81), and 81.51 $ (GSD2 = 2.28), respectively. Freshwater ecotoxicity is the dominant contributor (77.69%) to the ecosystem quality category, while climate change (85.22%) is the dominant contributor to the human health category. Key factors analysis results show that diammonium phosphate and diesel, and on-site emissions, are the major contributors to the overall environmental burden of soybean production. Several policy recommendations are proposed, focusing on trade structure optimization, efficient resource use, and technological improvements. Such policy recommendations provide valuable insights to those decision-makers so that they can prepare appropriate mitigation policies.

Keywords: Water footprint; Fossil energy footprint; Carbon footprint; Life cycle assessment; Soybeans; China (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2023
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DOI: 10.1007/s10668-022-02424-1

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