‘Ambitious’ implementation pathways could lead to a 50% reduction in ammonia (NH₃) emissions from human activities by 2050, a study published in Nature Sustainability has suggested.
According to the study, which focused on ammonia emissions and their effect on both ecosystems and human health – including its effect on air pollution, soil and water contamination – sufficient examination of mitigation strategies and their cost-effectiveness is ‘lacking on a global scale’.
Mitigation efforts
The researchers used a multi-model framework to examine 32 mitigation measures across seven sectors in 185 countries, including technological approaches – such as altering the application of fertilisers, and controls on industrial emissions – and non-technological approaches, such as policy adjustments and changes to management practices.
As it noted, the strategic application of both forms of ammonia emissions reduction measures could have a significant effect both environmentally and financially, with the estimated average cost per kilogram of NH₃ reduced measured at $7.40.
The total cost of implementing all measures globally was estimated at approximately $274 billion, with an uncertainty range of $116 billion, while the anticipated benefits from reduced environmental and health impacts, including resource savings, were estimated at $722 billion, with an uncertainty range of $302 billion.
‘Priority action’
‘Priority action in China and India could yield the largest net gains, whereas Sub-Saharan Africa faces limited cost-effectiveness owing to structural and economic barriers, the researchers noted.
‘Future scenarios indicate that ambitious implementation pathways could halve NH3 emissions by 2050, whereas weak climate action and inadequate nitrogen regulations would drive continued emission growth, leading to substantial environmental deterioration. These findings highlight both the feasibility and urgency of integrating NH3 control into multi-objective policies for food security, air quality and sustainable development.’
The study was led by researchers at Zhejiang University, the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis, and other institutions. Read more here.
