Launched at UN COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, it is the first international report focused solely on N2O in more than a decade.
Key finding of report
- If N2O emissions continue to increase at their current rate (current share 0.1° C), there is no plausible pathway to limiting global warming to 1.5° Celsius.
- Anthropogenic emissions of N2O have increased globally by 40% since 1980 with approximately 75% originating from agricultural use of synthetic fertilisers and manure.
- N2O is leading ozone-depleting substance, increasing harmful UV exposure and raising risks of cataracts (0.2–0.8%) and skin cancer (2-10%).
Measures suggested to abate N2O emission
- Agriculture: Abating N2O emissions by using enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, nitrification inhibitors, slow-release formulations, etc.
- Industry: Thermal destruction or catalytic processes can achieve 90-99% efficiency in treating emissions from adipic acid (used in synthetic fibers, foam) and nitric acid (used in fertilizer production).
- Fossil fuel reduction: Switching to use of renewable resources in transportation, energy production sector.
- Manure management: By balancing nutrient inputs in animal feed, reducing grazing intensity, anaerobic digestion of manure etc.
- Multilateral options: like Gothenburg Protocol targets on ammonia and nitrogen oxides under Convention on Long Range Transboundary Air Pollution.
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