Greenhouse gas emissions during the COVID-19 pandemic from agriculture in China

To study the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on agricultural carbon emissions in China, the greenhouse gas emissions generated by crop and livestock production, and agricultural material and energy inputs in China from 2019 to 2021 were systematically calculated. It was found that from 2019 to 2021, Net greenhouse gas emissions (NGHGE) from agriculture in China had an increasing trend. Methane emissions ranked first in NGHGE, with an annual proportion exceeding 65% and an increasing annual trend. CH4 emissions were primarily influenced by enteric fermentation and rice production. Nitrous oxide emissions accounted for around 22% of annual NGHGE and decreased from 2019 to 2021. The main sources of N2O emissions were the use of nitrogen fertilizers and manure management. Carbon dioxide emissions accounted for about 18% annually, with diesel and agricultural electricity use contributing to over 60% of CO2 emissions. Soil carbon sequestration represented about a 6.1% lowering of NGHGE. The combined proportion of CH4 emissions from enteric fermentation and rice production accounted for over 50% of total GHG emissions. The changes in NGHGE were mainly caused by disturbance of the livestock industry during the pandemic.