Agro-Industrial Symbiosis and Alternative Heating Systems for Decreasing the Global Warming Potential of Greenhouse Production

Greenhouses require large amounts of energy, which is the dominant factor making greenhouses more emission intensive than open-field cultivation. Alternative heating systems, such as combined heat and power (CHP), biogas, industrial waste heat, are continuously being researched for reducing environmental impacts greenhouses. This paper assesses utilizing CO2 enrichment in an example to propose “agro-industrial symbiosis” (AIS), refer a symbiotic co-operation between agricultural partners. The global warming potentials (GWPs) greenhouse production using different systems inadequately compared literature, research gap addressed herein. Additionally, potential reductions with yet be assessed via lifecycle assessment (LCA). A comparative LCA Finnish tomato cucumber various was conducted. Naturally, replacing fossil fuels bioenergy renewables significantly decreases GWP. CHP result decreased GWP only when biogas energy source. resulted low These results applicable worldwide guide political decision-making clean horticultural sector.