Insecticides: Emissions
Why long batch syntheses make insecticides carbon heavy
What this tab covers The greenhouse-gas footprint per tonne, split by lifecycle phase (feedstock, production, movement, use, end of life), the global total, other environmental impacts, levers and low-carbon routes, India's position, and where the investment opportunity lies. Emission intensity 19.3 kg CO2e per kg a.i. range about 10-30 by molecule (indicative) · 18.23 kg fossil CO2, 0.035 kg CH4 and 0.00034 kg N2O per kg a.i., converted with AR5 GWPs Global emissions per year 13.0 Mt CO2e per year 2022 · about 0.7 Mt a.i. x 19.3 kg CO2e/kg (indicative)Per kg of insecticide active ingredient, cradle-to-gate. Intensity: Field to Market impact factors, based on Audsley et al. (2009) and Green (1987). Global total: derived (indicative).
Share of footprint by lifecycle phase
Feedstock 36% Production / process 58% Movement 6%Footprint by lifecycle phase
| Phase | Intensity | Share | Main sources of emissions | Notes | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feedstock | about 7 kg CO2e per kg a.i. (indicative) | 36% | aromatics, chlorine, phosphorus, bromine and fluorinated intermediates | indicative split | |
| Production / process | about 11 kg CO2e per kg a.i. (indicative) | 58% | long batch syntheses, solvent use and recovery, coal steam, waste incineration | indicative split | |
| Movement | about 1 kg CO2e per kg a.i. (indicative) | 6% | container shipping and distribution | indicative | |
| Use | outside cradle-to-gate | – | spraying fuel; fumigant sulfuryl fluoride is itself a greenhouse gas with GWP of about 4,000-5,000 (indicative) | toxicity to bees, aquatic life and people is the main use-phase impact | indicative |
| End of life | small | – | degradation in soil and water; empty containers | neonicotinoids persist in soil and water (indicative) | indicative |
Other environmental impacts
Pollinator losses, aquatic toxicity, farmer poisoning, residues on food, and pest resistance. These usually matter more than the carbon footprint.
Levers to cut emissions
- Biological insecticides and pheromone mating disruption
- Integrated pest management that cuts spray counts
- Low-dose, selective chemistries
- Renewable steam and solvent recovery at plants
India
India's insecticide use is high in cotton, rice and vegetables; the government promotes integrated pest management and natural farming (indicative).
Emission figures are indicative global averages from the life-cycle studies named; actual footprints vary widely by site, energy mix and method.Low-carbon routes
| Route | Intensity | Cost premium | Status | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pheromone mating disruption (e.g. for pink bollworm) | very low doses per hectare (indicative) | higher per hectare than a generic spray (indicative) | commercial in cotton, fruit and vineyards; Indian pilots in cotton (indicative) | indicative |
| Fermentation-based biologicals (Bt, spinosad, baculoviruses) | not published | moderate | commercial; Corteva spinosyns, many Indian Bt makers | indicative |