Low-Carbon fertilizers

GHG emissions from agriculture

The European agriculture sector significantly contributes to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for about 10% of the EU’s total emissions. A major factor in these emissions is the use of nitrogen fertilizers, with European farmers applying over 11 million tonnes annually. The production and application of these fertilizers lead to substantial environmental impacts. Specifically, nitrogen fertilizers are linked to high levels of CO2 emissions and other greenhouse gases such as nitrous oxide (N₂O), a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential approximately 298 times greater than CO2. According to the European Environment Agency (2021), the use of nitrogen fertilizers is a significant source of N₂O emissions, which contribute heavily to global warming.

The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, 2019) reports that nitrogen fertilizers are responsible for a large portion of agricultural greenhouse gas emissions, with N₂O emissions making up about 60% of the sector’s total. Efforts to decarbonize this sector include adopting renewable and low-carbon hydrogen and ammonia, which can drastically reduce the carbon footprint of fertilizer production. FertigHy’s focus on low-carbon fertilizers aims to reduce CO2 emissions by 80-90%, providing a transformative solution to mitigate these environmental impacts and support the broader goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions in agriculture.

Scope 3 emissions

Include those from the use of agricultural inputs such as fertilizers. Unlike other indirect emissions, the reduction of fertilizer-related emissions offers a tangible, measurable, and direct opportunity for impact. By focusing on low-carbon fertilizers, Using low-carbon fertilizers offers a clear, precise, and traceable way to measure and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. This approach directly supports the sustainability goals of food and beverage companies by providing a tangible method for managing and reducing Scope 3 emissions. It enables companies to track their progress more accurately and demonstrate their commitment to climate action effectively.