Circularity measures enhance resilience of net zero pathways for agriculture
Abstract
Reducing environmental impact of agriculture is paramount for sustainable food production. Development of a circular bioeconomy can contribute to environmental objectives, yet the interaction of circularity measures with net zero strategies is poorly understood. Using integrated modelling and 12 key performance indicators, we assess the sustainability and resilience of two simulated circular strategies implemented within a business as usual and three net zero greenhouse gas emission pathways for Ireland’s land sector. Two circularity strategies were designed: Energy-focused circularity maximised domestic feedstock utilisation for bioenergy production via anaerobic digestion. Feed-focused circularity minimised imported (overseas) inputs to national livestock systems. Net zero requires large-scale transformation across the land sector. Circularity moderately enhances greenhouse gas emission reductions through energy and livestock feed substitution but considerably strengthens the resilience of net zero pathways by lowering dependence on imported fertilisers, feeds and/or energy (depending on the circularity strategy). This work highlights opportunities to embed circularity within net zero land use strategies to improve resilience.
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BibTeX
@article{henn2026circularity,
title = {{Circularity measures enhance resilience of net zero pathways for agriculture}},
author = {Daniel Henn and Carmen Girón Domínguez and Andrés Martínez-Arce and George Bishop and Colm Duffy and Vibeke Lind and David Styles},
journal = {Communications Earth \& Environment},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1038/s43247-026-04052-3},
url = {https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-04052-3},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Circularity measures enhance resilience of net zero pathways for agriculture
AU - Daniel Henn
AU - Carmen Girón Domínguez
AU - Andrés Martínez-Arce
AU - George Bishop
AU - Colm Duffy
AU - Vibeke Lind
AU - David Styles
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/05
JO - Communications Earth & Environment
DO - 10.1038/s43247-026-04052-3
UR - https://www.nature.com/articles/s43247-026-04052-3
AB - Reducing environmental impact of agriculture is paramount for sustainable food production. Development of a circular bioeconomy can contribute to environmental objectives, yet the interaction of circularity measures with net zero strategies is poorly understood. Using integrated modelling and 12 key performance indicators, we assess the sustainability and resilience of two simulated circular strategies implemented within a business as usual and three net zero greenhouse gas emission pathways for Ireland’s land sector. Two circularity strategies were designed: Energy-focused circularity maximised domestic feedstock utilisation for bioenergy production via anaerobic digestion. Feed-focused circularity minimised imported (overseas) inputs to national livestock systems. Net zero requires large-scale transformation across the land sector. Circularity moderately enhances greenhouse gas emission reductions through energy and livestock feed substitution but considerably strengthens the resilience of net zero pathways by lowering dependence on imported fertilisers, feeds and/or energy (depending on the circularity strategy). This work highlights opportunities to embed circularity within net zero land use strategies to improve resilience.
SN - 2662-4435
ER -