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. 2022 Oct 11;13(1):242–261. doi: 10.1080/21645698.2022.2118495

Permanent reduction in global tractor fuel consumption and carbon dioxide emissions resulting from the cultivation of GM IR maize in the USA, Canada, Spain and South Africa (1996–2020).

  Number of applications saved (‘000s) Fuel saving from less spray runs liters (‘000s) CO2 emissions saved kgs (‘000s)
1996 301 253 675
1997 2,509 2,108 5,627
1998 3,378 2,838 7,577
1999 3,272 2,748 7,338
2000 3,431 2,882 7,696
2001 3,331 2,798 7,471
2002 3,512 2,950 7,877
2003 3,557 2,988 7,978
2004 3,847 3,231 8,627
2005 3,875 3,257 8,690
2006 4,327 3,635 9,705
2007 5,218 4,383 11,703
2008 4,691 3,941 10,522
2009 5,137 4,315 11,522
2010 5,074 4,262 11,380
2011 5,173 4,345 11,602
2012 5,484 4,607 12,300
2013 5,508 4,626 12,353
2014 5,296 4,449 11,879
2015 4,893 4,110 10,973
2016 5,447 4,575 12,216
2017 5,257 4,415 11,789
2018 5,208 4,375 11,681
2019 5,234 4,396 11,738
2020 5,280 4,435 11,842
Total 108,241 90,922 242,762

Assumptions:

1Number of applications saved (based on one per ha of lowest of total GM IR maize area or area pre-GM IR maize that was traditionally sprayed for treatment of pests targeted by GM IR technology.

2Fuel saving per ha 0.84 liters/ha.