Greenhouse gases are components of the atmosphere that contribute to the greenhouse effect and observed global warming. Greenhouse gases include carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄), nitrous oxide (N₂O) and others. Most greenhouse gases occur naturally in the atmosphere, but can also stem from human activities. In recent time, increasing concentrations of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere originating from anthropogenic sources have become a serious cause of concern. Some of the main sources of greenhouse gases include agricultural activities.

To assess different crop production practices regarding their greenhouse gas emission potentials regarding carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide the following assessment parameters were taken into account:

1. direct emission due to the burning of fossil fuels in the production process, such as consumption of diesel fuel to run tractors, combines and the like and
2. indirect emission due to the production and provision (including transport) of machineries and inputs such as seeds, mineral fertilisers, or pesticides.

All alternative production practices of all crops defined for the model were assessed by their goal achievement levels using a fuzzy logic tool with the optimum being the least possible emission of greenhouse gases in regard to carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide by agricultural activities.