Looking forward -- each partner has a role
The fertilizer industry will continue to reduce its CO2-eq emissions balances throughout the life cycles of its products. This means:
- Continuing to install state-of-the-art technology, as well as improving the management of operations, in order to reduce both energy consumption and direct greenhouse gas emissions;
- Working with partners in the distribution chain to improve logistics and reduce per unit emissions associated with fertilizer transport;
- Deploying the global framework for Fertilizer Best Management Practices, in partnership with policy makers, scientists, extension agents and farmers, to ensure that an ever-growing number of farmers uses the Right Product @ Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place® approach to reduce agricultural emissions and increase opportunities for carbon sequestration in agriculture and forestry;
- Studying specific crop case studies to identify practices that result in reduced greenhouse gas emissions, as well as to track progress in the adoption of Fertilizer Best Management Practices;
- Exploring and embracing new opportunities to market innovative products and services that reduce emissions from fertilizer use and other sources.
These steps need to be supported by a regulatory framework that fosters a level playing field for fertilizer producers from all countries and does not introduce market distortions.
Technological improvements should be encouraged through financing mechanisms that address the high costs related to introducing new mitigation technologies, particularly in the case of retrofits (when new technologies are integrated into existing facilities).
Today’s investments in new production capacity will be guided by the regulatory signals provided by policy decisions. These should promote transparency and predictability and reward the early adopters of better performing technologies for their leadership. At the same time, regulations should be flexible enough to accommodate the diversity of situations faced by different members of this truly global industry.
How the fertilizer industry's efforts to address climate change interact with policy instruments and other actors' initiatives
| Fertilizer industry | Partners | Policy |
| Optimize the efficiency of fertilizer production by implementing Best Practice Technologies and good management | Provide innovative technologies | Instruments that reward responsible production and early adopters; policies that prevent “carbon leakage” from regulated countries/regions to others |
| Implement Best Available Techniques at new production sites | Provide innovative technologies | Incentives for the implementation of better performing technology when cost differentials exist |
| Install N2O abatement in relevant production facilities | Provide innovative technologies | Enabling financing mechanisms, such as the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation |
| Conduct Carbon Capture and Storage at appropriate ammonia production sites (especially key for coal-based production) | Provide economical solutions for storage near production sites | Enabling financing mechanisms, such as the UNFCCC’s Clean Development Mechanism and Joint Implementation |
| Opt for transport and logistical solutions that minimize emissions | Provide transport and logistical solutions that minimize emissions | Development of appropriate infrastructure |
| Develop Fertilizer Best Management Practices | Researchers and others to adapt global FBMP framework to local conditions; farmers to adopt FBMPs within an Integrated Soil Fertility Management framework | Provide knowledge and technology transfer programmes and funding to support partnerships to extend best practices to a wide number of farmers |
