Nitrous oxide emissions pose a threat to climate objectives

A recent international study has found that climate change is being seriously threatened by the growing emissions of nitrous oxide, with agriculture and the nitrogen fertilizers it uses being the worst culprits. Nitrous oxide is a greenhouse gas that is 300 times more efficient at heating the Earth’s atmosphere than carbon dioxide and remains in the atmosphere for over a century. With nitrous oxide being one of the three most important greenhouse gases, it is imperative to control its emissions to adhere to climate goals set in agreements such as the Paris climate agreement.

The Global Nitrous Oxide Budget report highlights the need to bring nitrous oxide emissions under control to stay within the two-degree limit set in the Paris climate agreement. As there is currently no technology to remove nitrous oxide from the atmosphere, cutting emissions is the only viable option. The report shows that nitrous oxide emissions have increased by 40 percent in the four decades leading up to 2020, resulting in 25 percent more nitrous oxide in the atmosphere compared to pre-industrial times.

Agriculture is responsible for three-quarters of man-made nitrous oxide emissions, primarily due to the nitrogen fertilizers used. Other sources of nitrous oxide emissions include fossil fuels, waste, and biomass burning. Despite efforts to control and limit emissions of other greenhouse gases, there has been minimal attention given to nitrous oxide emissions. Researchers emphasize the need for practices to reduce nitrous oxide emissions, as the effects of new restrictions would take at least ten years to be seen.

Some farmers have already begun taking steps to reduce nitrous oxide emissions by decreasing the use of nitrogen fertilizers and adopting more sustainable farming methods. Even a small reduction in emissions can make a significant impact, demonstrating the importance of addressing nitrous oxide emissions in the fight against climate change.