Carbon emissions from fertilisers could be reduced by as much as 80% by 2050

Researchers have calculated the carbon footprint for the full life cycle of fertilisers, which are responsible for approximately five percent of total greenhouse gas emissions - the first time this has been accurately quantified - and found that carbon emissions could be reduced to one-fifth of current levels by 2050. Our work gives us a good idea of what's technically possible, and where interventions would be meaningful - it's important that we aim interventions at what matters the most, in order to make fast and meaningful progress in reducing emissions André Cabrera Serrenho The researchers, from the University of Cambridge, found that two-thirds of emissions from fertilisers take place after they are spread on fields, with one-third of emissions coming from production processes. Although nitrogen-based fertilisers are already known to be a major source of greenhouse gas emissions, this is the first time that their overall contribution, from production to deployment, has been fully quantified. Their analysis found that manure and synthetic fertilisers emit the equivalent of 2.6 gigatonnes of carbon per year - more than global aviation and shipping combined. Carbon emissions from fertilisers urgently need to be reduced; however, this must be balanced against the need for global food security. Earlier research has estimated that 48% of the global population is fed with crops grown with synthetic fertilisers, and the world's population is expected to grow by 20% by 2050.