Farmers must estimate how much fertilizer and other inputs their crop will need in the face of increased weather variability.
Nitrous oxide might not make the news like carbon dioxide, but it’s a powerful hidden force behind the extreme, climate-driven weather we’re experiencing. This super-pollutant is the third most significant greenhouse gas, with a warming impact almost 300 times greater than carbon dioxide. Lowering it is essential for avoiding the most dangerous climate impacts.
The newly released “Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment” confirms a sobering reality: atmospheric concentrations of the gas are rising faster than previously anticipated. The majority of nitrous oxide emissions come from synthetic fertilizer and manure. Yet nitrogen applications are also essential for producing the crops that feed a growing population.
We don’t have to choose between food security or climate stability. We can and must support farmers in achieving both priorities.
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions isn’t just possible — it’s within reach.
A combination of existing strategies could slash global nitrous oxide emissions by over 40%, but scaling these solutions requires commitment and innovation, but scaling these solutions requires commitment and innovation.
A balancing act: Feeding the world without overloading the planet
Regions grappling with food insecurity often lack sufficient nitrogen inputs for optimal crop yields and quality. At the same time, areas with excessive fertilizer application can trigger serious environmental consequences, including heightened nitrous oxide emissions, water pollution and air quality degradation.
Optimized nitrogen management can address both of these challenges. For example, practices that balance fertilizer use with crop needs and recycle nitrogen from manure and organic waste can minimize losses across the nitrogen cycle. This can reduce nitrous oxide emissions, while also enhancing air and water quality and meeting food production needs.
Industrial nitrous oxide emissions, though only 5% of the total, also offer a promising area for mitigation. Technologies to reduce emissions from manufacturing facilities are relatively inexpensive and could provide immediate climate benefits.
Five steps to a sustainable nitrogen future
- Align nitrogen use with crop needs
Precision nitrogen management ensures that crops receive just the right amount of fertilizer — no more, no less. In Bihar, India, a recent nitrogen balance trial for rice and wheat crops demonstrated promising results. Hundreds of farmers employed incremental reduction strategies, saving significant quantities of fertilizer while maintaining robust yields. - Embrace nutrient recycling
Manure and other organic waste are rich in nitrogen but often go underutilized. Better recycling systems for these materials can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, curbing nitrous oxide emissions and fostering circular agricultural systems. - Leverage cutting-edge technology
From data-driven precision farming to more efficient fertilizers and equipment, technology is transforming nitrogen management. These innovations enable farmers to ensure that more fertilizer can be used by crops, minimizing environmental impacts. - Work with nature
Nature-based solutions, including growing legumes that fix nitrogen in the soil, maintaining healthy soils and diversifying crop rotations, provide low-tech but highly effective ways to manage nitrogen more sustainably. - Share the risk to reap the rewards
Farmers who improve fertilizer efficiency can save on costly farm inputs. But a main barrier to change is the risk of crop yield loss, a risk that falls squarely on the farmer. Value-chain companies, lenders and insurers can support farmers in managing that risk and reaping the resulting economic and environmental benefits.
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions is not just an environmental imperative — it’s an opportunity to enhance agricultural productivity, protect public health, and ensure long-term food security and rural livelihoods. With the right policies, practices and investments, we can support farmers in solving this climate challenge, while building a more sustainable, food-secure future.
Let’s make the most of the tools and knowledge already available and help farmers put them into practice.
A call to action
Reducing nitrous oxide emissions is not just an environmental imperative — it’s an opportunity to enhance agricultural productivity, protect public health, and ensure long-term food security and rural livelihoods. With the right policies, practices and investments, we can support farmers in solving this climate challenge, while building a more sustainable, food-secure future.
Let’s make the most of the tools and knowledge already available and help farmers put them into practice.