New concepts for agriculture in relation to climate change

Dr.ir. Jan de Wilt

Fachtagung Aktiver Klimaschutz und Anpassung an den Klimawandel

Braunschweig, 15th June 2009

New concepts for agriculture in relation to climate change

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Content

1. InnovationNetwork

2. Effects of climate change on agriculture in The Netherlands

3. Reduction of greenhouse gas emissions from agriculture in NL

4. Conclusions

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InnovationNetwork

• Develops and implements groundbreaking innovations for agriculture and rural areas

• Funded by Ministry of Agriculture• Budget € 4.5 million per year• Evaluation every 5 years

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2. Effects of climate change in

The Netherlands

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Salination of the soil due to sea level rise over next 100 years

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Saline agriculture

Zeekraal Lamsoor

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The Netherlands: a river delta

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More heavy rains and floods

Flooding of the river Maas in 1995

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Making a flooding area for the river

Overdiepse Polder:730 ha flooding area, 0,3 m lower water level in river

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Dry summers

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Peatland areas …Watermanagement • Oxidation of peat• CO2 emission

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…changes to wetlands with nature, recreation and extensive farming

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Climate change and ecosystem

• Longer growing season• Mismatches in breeding and flowering• More exotic plants and animals

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3. Reduction of

greenhouse gas emissions

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Goals of Dutch government

• 30% reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in 2020 compared to 1990

• Increase in sustainable energy from 2% in 2008 to 20% in 2020

• Doubling of energy saving from 1% to 2% per year

• 25-30 % less emissions of CH4 and N20

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Emissions of greenhouse gases in Dutch agriculture

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Main sources of greenhouse gases in agriculture

• CO2: energy use (greenhouses)• N2O: fertilizer, manure storage• CH4: dairy cows, manure storage

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Energy from biogas

Drinking water

Waste treatment

Cooling and heating

Greenhouse as energy source

35 C25 C

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Local energy webs

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Earth heat for greenhouses

~ 2,5 km90 C 60 C

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(Co-)digestion

Upcycling waste into: • Biogas• Electricity• Heat• CO2• Biofertilizer• Water

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Clustering of different agricultural sectors with non-agricultural sectorsand re-/upcycling of waste streams

Industrial ecology

Agropark

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Agropark in development

Arable farming

Pigs

Greenhouses Fish

AlgaeDigester

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Agriculture in industrial estate

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Carbon capture and sequestration

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Biochar

Charcoal created by pyrolysis of biomass

• Energy from biomass• CO2 sequestration in the soil• Positive agronomic and environmental effects

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Organic Carbon dioxide for Assimilation of Plants (OCAP)

Shell provides CO2 for greenhouses

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Biology of algae

• 6CO2+12H2O C6H12O6+6O2+6H2O• Light• Primairy nutrients (N, P, K)• Heat• Salt and sweet water

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Powerplants and algae

NREL, 2007

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Windpark

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Bio-offshore park

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Ecopyramid: optimal use of biomass

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Bioport: example Terneuzen

Starch and steam from Cargill go to Nedalco

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Climate change: Policy instruments in The Netherlands

• Economic instruments (subsidies, tax profits, levies)

• Legislation / agreements• Knowledge development • CO2 emission trade

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Conclusions

• Impact of climate change on Dutch agriculture is significant

• Ambitious goals to reduce greenhouse gases

• Technical solutions are promising• Policy instruments not yet in place

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Thank you for your attention

[email protected]