Baku, Azerbaijan - A recent United Nations report has issued a stark warning about the escalating threat posed by nitrous oxide (N₂O), a greenhouse gas that is significantly contributing to climate change and ozone layer depletion. Launched at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29), the Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment reveals that emissions are rising more rapidly than anticipated, necessitating urgent measures to mitigate their impact on both the environment and public health.
N₂O is approximately 270 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of its warming effect and accounts for about 10 percent of global warming since the industrial revolution. The gas, primarily released through agricultural practices such as synthetic fertilizer use, is the leading substance responsible for ozone layer depletion.
The Assessment emphasizes that addressing N₂O emissions is crucial for achieving climate goals, particularly the Paris Agreement's target of limiting global warming to 1.5°C. By reducing N₂O emissions, it is projected that up to 235 billion tonnes of CO₂-equivalent emissions could be avoided by 2100, equivalent to six years of current global carbon dioxide emissions from fossil fuels.
Practical strategies identified in the report could lead to a reduction of over 40 percent in N₂O emissions from current levels. Transforming food production systems and improving nitrogen management practices are key to achieving these reductions. Furthermore, the simultaneous reduction of nitrogen oxide emissions and ammonia could enhance air quality, potentially preventing up to 20 million premature deaths globally by 2050.
“A sustainable nitrogen management approach not only reduces nitrous oxide emissions but also prevents the release of other harmful nitrogen compounds,” stated A.R. Ravishankara, a chemist and atmospheric scientist. The report underscores that improved nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture can yield multiple benefits, including enhanced soil health, water quality, and ecosystem protection.
Megumi Seki, Executive Secretary of the Montreal Protocol Ozone Secretariat, stressed the importance of continued commitment to ozone layer recovery. “This Assessment highlights the need for ongoing vigilance and action for the ozone layer to recover to its pre-1980 levels,” she said.
The findings call for immediate and ambitious actions to curb N₂O emissions as part of a broader strategy to tackle super pollutants, alongside efforts to achieve net-zero carbon dioxide emissions. By utilizing the abatement tools outlined in the report, countries can address climate change, improve air quality, and safeguard public health.