CARBON FOOTPRINT OF AGRICULTURAL ACTIVITIES AND THE EMISSION REDUCTION POTENTIAL OF WIND ENERGY IN ALIAĞA DISTRICT

This study aims to calculate the carbon footprint of agricultural activities in Aliağa, a district of İzmir, using the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) methodology, and to evaluate the potential of wind energy in reducing these emissions. In Aliağa, a total of 37,135 tons of agricultural products are produced over 11,370 hectares of farmland. The total carbon footprint resulting from these agricultural activities was calculated as 6,410.38 tons of CO₂ equivalent (CO₂e). Of these emissions, 81.9% originate from fertilizer use, and 18.1% are due to diesel fuel consumption related to mechanization and field operations. In particular, nitrogen-based fertilizers (especially urea and ammonium nitrate derivatives) are responsible for 65.6% of total emissions, making them the dominant source. Fertilizer-related emissions consist of 34.0% from the production processes and 31.6% from N₂O released due to microbial activity in the soil. The significant impact of nitrogen fertilizers on greenhouse gas emissions stems from both direct (soil emissions) and indirect (energy consumption during production and transportation) contributions.

In terms of product groups, emission distribution in the Aliağa region is as follows: cereals 43.8%, fruits 21.3%, vegetables 5.5%, and other crops 29.5%. On a product basis, the highest emissions are attributed to wheat (1,458.52 tons CO₂e; 22.8%), silage corn (1,179.54 tons CO₂e; 18.4%), and olives (1,137.36 tons CO₂e; 17.7%), largely due to their extensive cultivation areas and high input demands in terms of fertilizer and fuel. The average emission per hectare was calculated as 0.56 tons CO₂e/ha, a figure that aligns with both regional values for the Aegean Region (0.5 - 1.2 tons CO₂e/ha) and global averages (0.6 - 0.9 tons CO₂e/ha). While this situation shows that the carbon intensity of agricultural production in the region remains within acceptable limits, it also reveals the need for improvement strategies.

To explore possibilities for emission mitigation, wind energy was selected as an alternative renewable energy source to assess its potential impact on reducing emissions from agricultural activities or offsetting them within the framework of carbon trading mechanisms. Wind energy’s role in emission reduction was analyzed through four different scenarios. The most effective scenario, involving a 5 MW wind turbine, achieved a reduction of 1,206 tons CO₂e (16.5%) through combined use in irrigation and mechanization, demonstrating strong emission mitigation performance.

In conclusion, the study reveals that the reduction or optimization of nitrogen fertilizer use, the integration of wind energy in irrigation and mechanized processes, the adoption of low-emission crop varieties, the use of organic fertilizers, and farmer education programs are viable strategies to reduce the agricultural carbon footprint in Aliağa. The district possesses the potential to serve as a model region for sustainable agriculture through the implementation of precision farming techniques and the integration of renewable energy systems.