Evaluating circular practices in agriculture: A farm-level nitrogen and greenhouse gas marginal abatement cost curve approach

Evans, Ffion ORCID: https://orcid.org/0009-0002-1023-3003, Chadwick, Dave, Williams, P., Wynne-Jones, Sophie and Gibbons, James (2026) Evaluating circular practices in agriculture: A farm-level nitrogen and greenhouse gas marginal abatement cost curve approach. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 405 (1). art:110370. doi:10.1016/j.agee.2026.110370 (In Press)

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Abstract

Adoption of more circular farming systems that prioritise renewable and recycled resources could enhance nutrient cycling, reduce farm costs and lower greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by decreasing reliance on external inputs. This study is the first to incorporate nitrogen (N) efficiency into a marginal abatement cost curve framework, bridging GHG mitigation with nutrient management. This integrated approach provides new insights into circular practices that can deliver win–win benefits and help avoid trade-offs between two of agriculture’s most pressing environmental challenges. Using regional farm data and mass flow models, we investigated eight circular practices across five representative UK farming systems. Alternative feed ingredients reduced GHG emissions by 4.7% and saved £200 Mg CO2e-1 yr-1 for the mixed farm. Solid-liquid slurry separation was the most cost-effective and N efficient practice for the dairy farm, reducing emissions by 4.8%, saving £129 Mg CO2e-1 yr-1 and reducing the N balance by 17 kg N Mg CO2e-1 yr-1. Cover crops and multispecies leys were optimal for cost-effective and N-efficient emission reductions on arable and beef-sheep farms. While anaerobic digestion reduced emissions and improved N efficiency, it was not cost-effective. System-based practices, such as mixed crop-livestock integration, showed greater regional than individual farm-level mitigation potential. Future research could explore regional-scale and broader environmental, economic and social impacts of circular practices to better inform policy and increase their appeal. Our results reveal farm-specific strategies that deliver multiple, cost-effective environmental benefits, highlighting the value of linking climate and nutrient management in sustainable agriculture.

Item Type:	Article
Article Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Circular economy; Climate-smart agriculture; Crop-livestock systems; Food security; Mitigation measures; Sustainable agriculture
Subjects:	S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S560 Farm Economics S Agriculture > S Agriculture (General) > S589.75 Agriculture and the environment
Divisions:	Schools and Research Institutes > Countryside and Community Research Institute
Depositing User:	Nick Lewis
Date Deposited:	25 Mar 2026 10:29
Last Modified:	27 Mar 2026 09:15
URI:	https://eprints.glos.ac.uk/id/eprint/15946

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