Environmental sub models for a macroeconomic model: agricultural contribution to climate change and acidification in Denmark

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articlepeer-review

Integrated modelling of the interaction between environmental pressure and economic development is a useful tool for evaluating the progress towards sustainable development by analysing the effects on sustainability indicators of the general economic growth and implementation of national action plans, etc. In this article an integrated model system is extended to include emissions of the greenhouse gasses, CH4 and N2O and the acidifying substance, NH3, from the Danish agricultural production. The model system comprises a macroeconomic model of the Danish economy, a Danish agricultural sector economic model, environmental satellite models of energy and waste related emissions contributing to climate change and acidification. The model extension allows the main Danish contribution to climate change and acidification to be modelled. The existing model system is extended by environmental satellite models, in which emission coefficients are linked to economic activity variables as modelled by the agricultural sector model ESMERALDA. Agricultural emission sources related to the activity variables in ESMERALDA are mapped in order to develop the environmental satellite models and the development of emission coefficients is described. Emission dependent parameters are identified in order to perform model projections. The model system is demonstrated by projections of agricultural-related emissions in Denmark under two alternative sets of assumptions: a baseline projection and a policy scenario for changes in the husbandry sector within the agricultural sector.

Original languageEnglish
JournalJournal of Environmental Management
Volume82
Issue number1
Pages (from-to)133-143
Number of pages11
ISSN0301-4797
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2006

    Research areas

  • Former LIFE faculty - Greenhouse gas, Acidification, Eutrophication, Economic models

ID: 8044041