Joint nitrogen and phosphorus management for sustainable development and climate goals

The United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Paris Climate Agreement are possibly the two most important pieces of international environmental policy thus far this century. The SDGs set a number of socioeconomic and environmental targets to be achieved by 2030, and the Paris Climate Agreement provides a framework for the international community to stay below the 2 °C temperature threshold. Such a range of ambitious goals will require measures that can simultaneously address several issues and produce multiple co-benefits, from improved water quality to reduced food waste. A joint approach to reducing nitrogen and phosphorus pollution is a prime example given their myriad impacts on the environment and human health. This study assesses the national climate plans of fifteen countries for language indicating a target or clear commitment that could involve improved N and P management. These countries represent 75% of both global greenhouse gas emissions and N and P consumption. We find that a joint approach could make important contributions to achieving all the national climate plans analyzed and 7 out of 17 SDGs. Joint abatement measures exist for wastewater, agriculture and consumer behavior. Challenges to a joint approach to nitrogen and phosphorus management include their role as essential nutrients and key differences in their availability and chemistry. Whilst there is currently insufficient integration between science, policies and practice on this issue, near-term policy opportunities exist. Looking forward, how humanity manages its relationship with these essential nutrients over the coming decades will be a key bellwether of whether sustainable development is truly achievable

Concerns about global phosphorus demand for lithium-iron-phosphate batteries in the light electric vehicle sector

A 'Matters Arising' article, arising from: Xu, C. et al. (2020). Future material demand for automotive lithium-based batteries. Communications Materials 1: 99

Developing a global perspective on improving agricultural nitrogen use

Nitrogen (N) fertilisers help ensure food security for many regions in the world, but excess or inappropriate use can have serious impacts on both human and environmental health (e.g. threatening air, soil, and water quality, reducing biodiversity and disrupting of greenhouse gas balance). While losses are exacerbated by the decoupling of animal and crop production systems, there are many opportunities to reduce N pollution and increase productivity simultaneously. On the 26th and 27th of March 2015, delegates from diverse backgrounds met at the Second BASF Fireside Chat to discuss these issues and explore possible solutions. Stakeholders from some regions emphasised the desire to avoid simplistic regulations, encouraging the empowerment of farmers to develop their own solutions. Other regions highlighted the need for more effective government intervention. This applied both for adoption of emission mitigation methods in regions of excess, as well as for good governance and infrastructure to improve fertiliser supply in regions of too little. A core message was that, although strategies to increase N use efficiency vary between global regions, there are substantial common themes, the shared development of which could greatly strengthen global action. These challenges are now being taken up by the International Nitrogen Initiative and the United Nations Environment Programme. With financial support from the Global Environment Facility, they are working towards an International Nitrogen Management System (INMS) to provide coordinated scientific support for international N policy-making

Freshwater science for the benefit of society: a perspective from early career researchers

This research brief summarises the views of a group of early career freshwater researchers on 3 questions: What are the greatest threats to freshwater resources and how will they change over the next century? Is freshwater science effectively utilised to help society adapt to these threats? How will we ensure the benefits of freshwater science are reaped by society into the future? To address these questions we reviewed the current literature and discussed our findings in a series of group meetings. We concluded that freshwater resources will be most threatened by population growth, climate change, and eutrophication in the future. We provide examples of how the utilisation of freshwater science by society is reliant on effective monitoring systems, data sharing, and effective communication of topical scientific evidence to both the public and policy makers. Developments in these fields increase the likelihood of society benefitting from past and future research in freshwater science

Time to take responsibility on phosphorus: towards circular food systems

This Commentary follows up on the previously published article (https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gloenvcha.2008.10.009) which appeared in Global Environmental Change Volume 19, Issue 2, May 2009, Pages 292–305

Towards net-zero phosphorus cities

Cities are central to improving natural resource management globally. Instead of reinventing the wheel for each interlinked sustainability priority, we suggest synergising with, and learning from existing net-zero carbon initiatives to explicitly tackle another vital element: phosphorus. To achieve net-zero phosphorus actors must work together to (1) minimise loss flows out of the city, (2) maximise recycling flows from the city to agricultural lands, and (3) minimise the need for phosphorus in food production

Erratum to:Assessing pro-environmental behaviour in relation to the management of pollution from private sewage systems

Recent studies suggest that 80 % of the estimated 1.5 million private sewage systems (PSS) in the UK are working inefficiently, potentially threatening drinking water quality and human health, as well as providing a significant source of phosphorus (P) to freshwater bodies, increasing vulnerability to eutrophication. In this report we explore pro-environmental behaviours of PSS users that potentially offer significant reduction in both PSS system failure and P discharge by 1) reducing P input to the PSS by modifying domestic behaviour, and 2) reducing the risk of PSS failure by improving maintenance of the PSS. A detailed questionnaire of 156 PSS users in the catchment of Loch Leven, Scotland, UK, revealed 70 % of users feel responsible for maintaining their PSS, 46 % are potentially maintaining them ineffectively, nearly 30 % have poorly installed systems and 45 % report their PSS had, at some point, blocked or overflowed. Our results indicate that the most effective action to improve PSS operation would be to provide better guidance on low P lifestyles and correct PSS maintenance with an improvement in the provision of facilities to support these pro-environmental behaviours

Global food security threatened by potassium neglect

Food security and healthy ecosystems are placed in jeopardy by poor potassium management. Six actions may prevent declines in crop yield due to soil potassium deficiency, safeguard farmers from potash price volatility and address environmental concerns associated with potash mining