Land Management Practices for FLAG emissions reduction and removals increase in Beef Production : A case study for IKEA

Sammanfattning

Beef production remains a primary contributor to greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions within the agricultural sector. This thesis evaluates the climate mitigation potential of various Land Management Practices (LMPs) by analyzing their capacity for both emission reduction and carbon sequestration. Through a systematic review of identifying the major emission contributors and relevant mitigation measures, Agroforestry, Rotational Grazing, and Cover Cropping were identified as high-impact strategies. To quantify these effects, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was conducted on a mixed production case study (comprising both pasture and feedlot stages). Three scenarios were modeled: Baseline (Conventional), Rotational Grazing, and Cover Cropping. The results confirmed that these LMPs effectively targeted major emission contributors, aligning with established literature. Specifically, Rotational Grazing achieved a 13% reduction in total GHG emissions by optimizing machinery use and reducing fossil fuel inputs, while the Cover Cropping scenario yielded a 7% reduction. Regarding carbon removals, Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) was quantified using IPCC Tier 1 methodology, resulting in sequestration values of 0.087 kg C/ha/yr per kg LW for grass-based systems and 0.42 kg C/ha/yr per kg LW for Ryegrass + clover systems. However, the analysis identified significant methodological constraints in estimating carbon removals using static factors. The findings suggest that while LMPs offer substantial potential for Forest, Land, and Agriculture (FLAG) mitigation, their inherent biological complexity necessitates a more nuanced approach. Consequently, this study recommends for the adoption of a Hybrid LCA framework that integrates supply chain data with site-specific, process based modeling to accurately capture dynamic soil carbon fluctuations and long-term mitigation potential.