Nitrogen inquiry launched by Climate Change Committee


By Dr. Tim Sandle
February 7, 2025

DIGITAL JOURNAL

View of nitrogen fertilizer being applied to growing corn (maize) in a contoured, no-tilled field in Hardin County, Iowa. Source - USDA/Photo no. NRCSIA99241 by Lynn Betts. Public Domain

The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has launched an inquiry into efficient nitrogen use and management in relation to sectors including agriculture, combustion, wastewater treatment and food waste.

Nitrogen (N) is a naturally abundant element with nearly 80 percent of the Earth’s atmosphere composed of the inert gas di-nitrogen, N2. Over the last century, conversion of N2 into reactive forms has increased significantly through the Haber-Bosch process – primarily for fertiliser production – and the burning of fossil fuels. This has caused unprecedented changes to the global nitrogen cycle.

Nitrogen pollution has significant public health and environmental impacts: on water quality, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem health and biodiversity, and soil quality.

The objective is to highlight and explore opportunities for capture and reuse of existing reactive nitrogen within sectors to reduce waste.

Another part of the review is to understand barriers to sustainable nitrogen management approaches within sectors. There is also a requirement to review changes to the nitrogen cycle and its balance over time and associated challenges.

The committee is also seeking to understand the gaps in current policy and the effectiveness of regulation in addressing nitrogen pollution and to understand how Government departments and associated agencies coordinate efforts on nitrogen management and whether this could be done more effectively.

The aid the review process, the Committee is seeking evidence from members of the public, industry experts, campaigners, academics and other stakeholders.

This includes understanding the main sources of nitrogen pollution in the UK and the solutions and technologies available to increase nitrogen reuse. There is also a focus on the ecological, public health and economic impacts of nitrogen pollution, together with government policy and regulation.

The review will also attempt to identify examples of best practice relating to monitoring, regulation or management of nitrogen.

Baroness Sheehan, Chair of the Environment and Climate Change Committee said in a statement: “Nitrogen is an essential element for the abundance of life on earth, the fertility and health of the planet as well as plant and human well-being.”

Sheehan adds: “It is very clear that too much reactive nitrogen causes pollution and has significant environmental and public health impacts: on water quality, air quality, greenhouse gas emissions, ecosystem health and biodiversity, and soil quality. It is also clear that existing measures to curb nitrogen pollution fall short in managing it effectively.”

The review closes on Friday 7 March 2025.