A recent international study led by Queensland University of Technology presents a quantitative framework for evaluating how plant agriculture and synthetic biology might help mitigate climate change. The research, published in Plant Physiology, compares approaches for reducing greenhouse gas emissions and increasing carbon storage on farmland, factoring in feasibility, scalability, and socioeconomic fit.

Professor Claudia Vickers, lead author from the QUT School of Biology and Environmental Science, explained that the extensive footprint of global farming means widespread adoption of even modest improvements in carbon capture or emissions reduction could have significant effects. According to Professor Vickers, "Global croplands are estimated to capture more than 115 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide annually through photosynthesis. Even modest improvements in how crops capture, use, and store that carbon, if applied across existing farmland, could deliver huge climate benefits."

The framework allows fair assessment of mitigation strategies, ranging from bioengineering crop traits to non-genetic interventions such as biochar and reforestation. The researchers identified reducing synthetic nitrogen fertilizer use as an approach with particularly large and immediate potential for carbon mitigation.

Looking ahead, the study found that advances in synthetic biology could contribute up to 260 gigatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent drawdown over the next century when deployed at scale. The actual impact of different methods largely depends on the breadth of adoption rather than per-hectare gains.

Professor Vickers highlighted that no single strategy would suffice. Instead, a portfolio of near-term and longer-term interventions will be necessary, provided they meet criteria for technical feasibility, economic viability, durability, and ecological safety.

"Improving agricultural carbon sequestration also helps deliver to food, feed and fibre priorities, along with farmer income and security. This makes these solutions triple bottom line solutions addressing social, environmental, and economic outcomes," Vickers said. "Agriculture is uniquely positioned to both feed the world and fight climate change. But we need to focus on the interventions that can deliver meaningful, measurable outcomes. Our work provides a roadmap to do just that."

Research Report:Harnessing plant agriculture to mitigate climate change: a framework to evaluate synthetic biology (and other) interventions