A new United Nations report released this week underscores the urgent need to address the growing threat of nitrous oxide emissions, a potent greenhouse gas that is a significant contributor to global warming and the depletion of the ozone layer. The findings highlight the critical role of agricultural fertilizers in the rising levels of nitrous oxide and stress that the world cannot meet its climate goals without curbing these emissions.

Nitrous oxide, commonly associated with the use of synthetic fertilizers in agriculture, is nearly 300 times more effective at trapping heat in the atmosphere than carbon dioxide. It is also a key factor in the destruction of the ozone layer, which shields the Earth from harmful ultraviolet radiation. While carbon dioxide and methane have dominated recent international climate discussions, nitrous oxide has largely been overlooked, despite its dual impact on both climate change and ozone depletion.

The U.N. report, compiled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Environment Programme (UNEP), and the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC), represents the first comprehensive global assessment of nitrous oxide emissions since 2013. The timing of the report is significant, as the world continues to grapple with the goals outlined in the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global warming to well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels, with efforts to cap it at 1.5°C. However, the report warns that the current trajectory of nitrous oxide emissions makes achieving these targets increasingly unlikely.

Fertilizers, while essential for global food production, are the largest source of anthropogenic nitrous oxide emissions. The report calls for immediate action to improve the efficiency of fertilizer use in agriculture. This includes adopting better management practices, such as precision farming techniques that optimize the application of fertilizers to reduce excess use and minimize emissions. The report also stresses the need for governments to implement policies that encourage sustainable agricultural practices and support the development of alternative farming technologies.

One of the key challenges highlighted in the report is that nitrous oxide is not currently regulated under the Montreal Protocol, the international treaty designed to protect the ozone layer. This regulatory gap means that efforts to curb its emissions have been largely absent from global climate agreements. The report advocates for broader inclusion of nitrous oxide reduction measures in future international climate negotiations and emphasizes the need for integrated approaches that address both climate and ozone protection simultaneously.

As emissions of nitrous oxide continue to rise, the urgency of the situation becomes ever more apparent. The agricultural sector, which accounts for the majority of these emissions, faces increasing pressure to balance food production with environmental sustainability. Without significant progress in reducing nitrous oxide emissions, the report warns that the world is unlikely to meet its climate targets, further exacerbating the impacts of global warming and ozone layer depletion.

The U.N. report calls for a more holistic approach to tackling climate change, one that includes not only reductions in carbon dioxide and methane but also a focused effort to curb nitrous oxide emissions. The effective management of fertilizers, along with broader policy measures and international cooperation, will be essential to safeguarding the planet’s climate and its protective ozone layer.