A Cluster Analysis on the Energy Use Indicators and Carbon Footprint of Irrigated Wheat Cropping Systems

The objective of this study is to analyze the energy use efficiency and carbon footprint irrigated wheat systems in different Iranian provinces. authors resort k-means clustering technique fulfil said objective. empirical results reveal that average total input (59.5 GJ ha−1) higher than output (45.82 from production, resulting an 0.77, thus rendering production Iran energy-inefficient on average. Among thirty wheat-producing provinces considered analysis, only six—East Azerbaijan, Golestan, Ardabil, Kohgiluyeh Boyer-Ahmad, Alborz, West Azerbaijan—register greater unity. greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions 2243.54 kg CO2-eq ha−1 (with electricity diesel fuel contributing 52.4% 29.4%, respectively). categorize clusters into five groups ranging sustainable unsustainable. Five six referred earlier fall ‘sustainable’ category, with Bushehr being sixth. units category can serve as a benchmark for other categories, which move up ladder sustainability. also recommend measures policymakers undertake ensure development Iran, fulfilling social imperative food self-sufficiency while truncating environmental ensuring economic feasibility.