Calculates emissions due to transporting seed, fertilizer, and crop protection from production to farm gate.
Overview
Transportation calculates emissions generated as a result of transporting the fertilizer, crop protection and seed associated with producing the measured crop. This value is depedent upon Ecoinvent v3.11 to determine distance and mode of transport. It is also dependent on the amount of each product used to determine the total amount transported.
Limitations
For this methodology we are relying upon Ecoinvent v3.11 market data, intermediate exchange information, to determine the distance and mode of travel for 1 kg of active product. For each type of product produced (and likewise used on the field for the production of the measured crop), there is usually a mix of 2-4 modes of transportation globally. We do not account for any regional differences or user input at this time to change those assumptions, except for that which Ecoinvent has already accounted for.
Seed transportation: This methodology assumes that all seed is grown locally, resulting in minimal emissions, except rice. This is the only crop for which market data is available via Ecoinvent. Likewise, no seed transportation values are generated for other crops at this time.
Assumptions
This methodology relies on Ecoinvent v3.11 to determine:
- Distance travelled
- Mode of transport
We have done this be using the market data set linked to each product's production data set. But combining their production data set with their market data sets for each consumable being transported we arrive at the total distance and mode travelled.
All modes of travel are aggregated for one total transportation emission factor per product transported.
Emission factor coefficient references
All emission factor coefficients are source from Ecoinvent v3.11.
Crop protection: Pesticide production 'unspecified' along with pesticide production UPR market level data
Fertilizer: Fertilizer type and total applied: market data for each fertilizer type.
Seed: Only rice will have a seed transportation rate using rice seed production and market data sets.