Interactions of Land Use, Economic Growth, and Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Sustainable Agriculture

Dear Colleagues,

The interactions of land use, economic growth, and greenhouse gas emissions in sustainable agriculture are complex and multifaceted. On the one hand, land use contributes significantly to global greenhouse gas emissions, with deforestation, methane emissions from rice cultivation, and nitrous oxide emissions from fertilizer use being major factors. Conversely, land ecosystems can also absorb a substantial amount of carbon. On the other hand, economic activities related to land use, such as agriculture and forestry, can lead to both emissions and removals of greenhouse gases, so sustainable land management practices are essential to balance economic growth with the reduction in emissions. Successful land use policies are those that effectively balance development with environmental sustainability. Although land-based activities are a major driver of climate change, sustainable practices in agriculture and land management can lead to greenhouse gas removals, as seen in the recovery of forests and other ecosystems. Therefore, achieving sustainable agriculture by integrating biodiversity, climate, and food policies is crucial for sustainable land use. Countries with large agricultural sectors are focusing on aligning these areas to reduce emissions and promote sustainable growth.

For a more in-depth understanding, the IPCC Special Report on Climate Change and Land provides extensive information on climate change, desertification, land degradation, sustainable land management, food security, and greenhouse gas fluxes in terrestrial ecosystems. It is a valuable resource for exploring the synergies, trade-offs, and integrated response options related to land use and its impact on climate change.

Objective: This Special Issue aims to explore the dynamic interplay between land use patterns, economic development, and greenhouse gas emissions within the context of sustainable agricultural practices. It seeks to present a collection of innovative research articles, case studies, and reviews that address the challenges and opportunities at the intersection of these critical areas, but it is not limited to these, and papers on related areas are also welcome.

• Land Use and Sustainable Practices: Examination of how different land use strategies impact sustainability in agriculture and how innovative farming techniques can contribute to more efficient land use.
• Economic Growth and Agricultural Development: Analysis of the economic policies that promote sustainable agricultural growth and the economic impacts of transitioning to sustainable practices.
• Greenhouse Gas Emissions: Investigation into the contribution of agricultural activities to greenhouse gas emissions and the potential for mitigation through sustainable land use.
• Case Studies: Real-world examples of successful implementation of land use policies that have led to both economic growth and reductions in greenhouse gas emissions.
• Policy and Regulation: Discussion of the role of government policy and international agreements in shaping land use and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Prof. Dr. Azad Haider
Guest Editor

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Sustainability is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• land use
• climate change
• greenhouse gas emissions
• economic growth
• agriculture development
• forest