Time-dependent climate impact of ruminant livestock farming and associated supply chains

Queen’s University Belfast is seeking a candidate for a project on the time-dependent climate impact of ruminant livestock farming and supply chains. The research aims to analyze synergies of carbon reduction measures and assess the timing of greenhouse gas emissions. The role involves collaboration with academia, industry, and government, providing opportunities for networking and skill development in various disciplines. UK studentships cover tuition fees and provide a stipend.
Previous research has investigated methods of decarbonising ruminant (e.g. beef and dairy) agriculture, including work by the supervisory team on anaerobic digestion,1 willow riparian buffer strips,2 the impact of hedgerows, and carbon sequestration of grasslands.3 Work to date has, however, typically been undertaken in isolation and, while the body of knowledge on individual carbon reduction measures has grown, the potential synergies of combined measures have not been analysed in detail.

Project Description and Objectives

This proposed project will address this knowledge gap, as well as considering the impacts from and on associated carbon emissions from activities outside the farm gate, such as displacement of fossil fertilisers and effects on supply chains.

A further area requiring attention arises from the fact that most previous carbon assessments of agricultural systems have focused on global warming potential where all greenhouse gases are assumed to be released at the start of the assessment. However, this relationship may be questioned due to the time lag between gas capture and release.

Accounting for the timings of these emissions is increasingly important as some systems may only reach climate neutrality after several years and, as we approach the tipping point for the climate, this may be too late. Recent work by the authors4 is among the first to assess the time-dependent climate impact of intensive agricultural systems and how the integration of willow buffer strips could reduce this impact. It is proposed to now extend this research to investigate other measures and their impact on the carbon balance of farms and their supply chains.

References
• Blades, L., Morgan, K., Douglas, R., Glover, S., De Rosa, M., Cromie, T., & Smyth, B. (2017). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.egypro.2017.07.255
• Livingstone, D., Smyth, B. M., Lyons, G., Foley, A. M., Murray, S. T., & Johnston, C. (2022). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2022.112154
• Blair, J., Olave, R., Smyth, B., Sherry, E., & Reid, N. (2018). http://www.aab.org.uk/images/aspects%20139%20contents.pdf
• Livingstone, D., Smyth, B. M., Cassidy, R. Murray, S. T., Lyons, G., Foley, A. M., & Johnston, C. (2023). https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2023.137936

Key transferable skills developed
• Communication
• Networking
• Systems Thinking

Impact and Future Career Prospects

This project will form part of ongoing research involving academia, industry, utilities and government organisations and, as such, the candidate will have the opportunity to develop connections and/or undertake a placement.

Highlight Innovation and Interdisciplinarity

As a systems analysis project, the research will enable the student to develop multidisciplinary skills spanning engineering, agriculture and biological sciences, as well as economics and policy.

Project Keywords
• Net Zero
• Agriculture
• Bioenergy
• Bioresources

Funding

UK studentships - cover tuition fees and include a maintenance stipend of £20,780 per annum, together representing an investment in your education of more than £75,000.

A UK studentship is open to UK and ROI nationals, and to EU nationals with settled status in the UK, subject to meeting specific nationality and residency criteria.

DfE studentship eligibility information can be viewed at: https://www.economy-ni.gov.uk/publications/student-finance-postgraduate-studentships-terms-and-conditions

Start Date: 1st October 2025

Application Deadline: 20th June 2025