Fertile Ground for Reform: A Research Roadmap for Agricultural Nitrogen Pollution

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The Environmental and Energy Study Institute (EESI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) held a briefing about tracking and reducing agricultural nitrous oxide, a major greenhouse gas. Nitrogen is a key component in fertilizer, making it critical to food security. Unfortunately, due to overapplication, only about half of nitrogen fertilizer is actually absorbed by crops. This leads to high levels of nitrous oxide emissions and threatens drinking water, ecosystems, and public health. Nitrous oxide has a global warming potential 273 times greater than carbon dioxide over 100 years and is the primary driver of stratospheric ozone depletion, increasing UV exposure and associated health risks. Nitrous oxide measurement, monitoring, reporting, and verification mechanisms are essential to reducing these emissions and supporting profitable and sustainable farm management.

This briefing showcased findings from a new research roadmap that identifies opportunities for measuring and reducing agricultural nitrous oxide emissions. Panelists pinpointed areas of innovation, as well as opportunities for reducing uncertainty, improving accuracy, bringing down costs for farmers, and reducing nitrogen loss from fields. The briefing also helped policymakers identify research and development needs, and highlighted the role of federal and state legislatures in improving environmental, economic, and public health across the country.