Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 14, 2025
11:02
The Use of an Automated System GreenFeed to Monitor Enteric Methane and Carbon Dioxide Emissions from Ruminant Animals
Published on: September 7, 2015
22.8K
Quantifying greenhouse gas emissions from global aquaculture
Michael J MacLeod1, Mohammad R Hasan2, David H F Robb3
1Scotland's Rural College, Edinburgh, UK. michael.macleod@sruc.ac.uk.
Scientific Reports
|July 17, 2020
Summary
Global aquaculture contributes significantly to food security. This study reveals aquaculture
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Agricultural Science
- Climate Science
Background:
- Global aquaculture is crucial for food security and economic development.
- Sustainable expansion requires understanding and mitigating greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions.
- Aquaculture's environmental footprint, particularly GHG emissions, needs comprehensive quantification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To quantify global GHG emissions from aquaculture (excluding aquatic plants).
- To analyze emissions based on modern commercial feed formulations.
- To assess emissions across major species groups and geographic regions.
Main Methods:
- Quantification of global GHG emissions from aquaculture.
- Focus on commercial feed formulations for key species and regions.
- Comparison of aquaculture emissions intensity with terrestrial livestock.
Main Results:
- Global aquaculture accounted for approximately 0.49% of anthropogenic GHG emissions in 2017.
- Aquaculture's GHG emissions are comparable in magnitude to sheep production.
- Aquaculture exhibits lower emissions intensity than most terrestrial livestock.
Conclusions:
- Aquaculture's contribution to global GHG emissions is relatively modest.
- Low emissions intensity is attributed to the absence of enteric methane and efficient feed conversion.
- Mitigation strategies can further enhance aquaculture's sustainability and reduce its climate impact.
