Global greenhouse gas emissions from rice paddies have nearly doubled since the 1960s, reaching approximately 1.1 billion tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually. The increase is driven by the expansion of cultivation areas and the intensification of fertilizer and organic residue use, making rice the largest agricultural emission source outside of livestock. Mitigation strategies such as intermittent flooding, reduced nitrogen fertilizer application, and the use of biochar can lower emissions without sacrificing crop yields. While these climate-smart practices could reduce global rice emissions by 10% by midcentury, further innovation is required to meet broader climate goals.
