Quantifying the potency of greenhouse gas emission from manure management through anaerobic digester in Central Java

Indonesia has committed to reduce 29% of national greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by its own efforts and 41% with international support by 2030. The livestock releases methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide (N₂O) from enteric fermentation and manure management. The anaerobic digester can capture CH₄ emission from manure and it can be used for bio-energy to replace LPG and kerosene. This study aims to estimate GHG emission from manure management and its reductions through anaerobic digestion in Central Java Province during 2010–2015. The data were collected through questionnaire surveys, interviews, and institutional data collections. GHG emissions from livestock and its mitigation were estimated using the IPCC 2006 Tier 1 method. The results showed that Central Java has GHG emission from the livestock of 1,546.26, 1,658.38, 1,775.99, 1,708.46, 1,745.37, and 1,817.52 Gg CO₂ from 2010 to 2015, respectively. The anaerobic digestion avoided CH₄ emission approximately 11.55 - 117.43 Gg CO₂ per year. Methane avoidance could substitute the energy around 0.50 - 5.08 Gg CO₂ per year. Anaerobic digesters are processes that convert cow manure into biogas rich in methane, which can reduce indirectly GHG emissions from animal waste. Manure management through a digester produces biogas that can be used to replace non-renewable energy such as LPG and kerosene.