Analysis of climate change impact on resource intensity and carbon emissions in protected farming systems using Water-Energy-Food-Carbon Nexus

As the uncertainty and importance of securing resources increase, the nexus concept is used for integrated sustainable use management planning. In particular, because protected farms are most affected by temperature change, the connection between the heating temperature variable and resources must be analyzed. In this study, a water-energy-food-carbon nexus model that reflected the agricultural characteristics of protected farms was constructed. The crop yield, irrigation amount, and heating energy were simulated, and a sensitivity analysis was performed according to climate change scenarios and heating temperature variables. There was no significant decrease in the yield of food resources even at heating temperatures lower than 12 °C. In contrast, the growing period shortened as the heating temperature increased above 12 °C, which decreased the irrigation amount but tended to increase the heating energy. In addition, lowering the heating temperature standard from 12 °C to 8 °C (or less) is suitable for efficient resource management.