Mapping the Evolution of Low-Carbon Dairy Research: A Bibliometric Analysis of Greenhouse Gas Emission Trends Based on WoSCC Database

Abstract

The dairy cattle sector is a critical source of anthropogenic greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and must transition to low-carbon farming to meet global climate goals. However, a systematic synthesis of the evolution and future trajectories of GHG emissions research in this field is still lacking. This study aims to address this gap by conducting a bibliometric analysis to elucidate the research evolution, hotspots, and future trends in GHG emissions from dairy cattle farming. The results showed a steady linear increase in publications (R2 = 0.80), with the highest average annual growth rate of approximately 45.9% (2009–2014). The United States (91), Italy (68), the Netherlands (58), Germany (51), and Ireland (45) were the most productive countries, accounting for 60.2% of the global total. Both institutional (0.0347) and author (0.0069) collaboration densities in the global network are low, indicating a lack of a tightly integrated collaborative framework. The research hotspots evolved from foundational themes (e.g., agriculture, grasslands; 2005–2010) to environmental pressures and mitigation (2010–2020). A recent thematic shift (2020–2025) is evident towards specific mitigation strategies like rumen fermentation, sustainability, and fertility, indicating a field oriented toward low-carbon, high-efficiency transformation. The analysis underscores the critical perspective provided by life cycle assessment for this transition. This study provides a comprehensive map of the research landscape, highlighting future priorities. Grounded in a holistic life cycle assessment framework, future work should integrate technology, management, and policy to steer the global dairy industry towards a sustainable future that balances environmental health with economic viability.