Reducing our carbon footprint

What more can be done to further reduce the impact of agriculture in Europe on the climate? How can European agriculture contribute to preserving natural CO₂ sinks? Improvements in production and application of fertilizers have made significant savings of GHG emissions. Making best use of arable resources where they are available reduces the pressure for land use change in remote regions of the world.

Optimizing fertilizer production

Nitrate-based fertilizers, such as Ammonium Nitrate (AN), are the most common source of nitrogen in Europe. Production of AN releases N₂O and CO₂. Use of catalysts reduces N2O emissions from fertilizer production by as much as 90%.

This technology was developed by Yara and since been shared with the rest of the industry. It is today part of the "best available techniques" (BAT) for fertilizer production as defined by the European Union. Yara plants apply BAT and are rated amongst the most energy efficient in the world. A scientific study of the carbon footprint of wheat production has demonstrated a 35-40% reduction of emissions by improved industrial processes.

Optimizing fertilizer use 

The average emissions from application of AN fertilizer is 5.1 kg CO₂-eqv per kg applied N. This is mainly due to N₂O losses caused by denitrification and volatilization in the soil. Since N₂O has a strong impact on climate, N₂O losses are an important issue. Best Farming Practice, for example, the use of precision farming tools such as the N-SensorTM, aims at applying the optimum form and amount of nitrogen with the right timing to reduce losses and enhance N uptake. A good soil structure further improves nitrogen use efficiency. Optimizing N efficiency does not only reduce climate and other environmental impact, but it also improves yield and profitability.

Preserving natural CO₂ sinks

Pristine forests, savannahs and wetlands store more carbon than any other type of land. Land use change, i.e. clearing of pristine forest and wetlands, accounts for roughly 12% of world GHG emissions.

Stopping land use change and deforestation is a powerful lever in climate protection. Arable land is a scarce resource. Intensive, and therefore productive, arable production in Europe helps to save rainforests, grassland savannahs and wetlands from being converted into arable land in remote regions of the world. This fact needs to be kept in mind when evaluating the global carbon balance of fertilizers.