Agriculture
As developing countries grow, demand for food overall and for food with higher protein levels rises. This creates a pressing need for sustainable agriculture solutions that address the emissions challenge while not hampering economic growth.
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Pathfinders actions
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Best practices
The manufacturing and use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides accounts for 2.1% of greenhouse gases released globally. Ammonia-based fertilizers emit nitrous oxide (N2O) after application, a gas with a global warming potential 273 times that of CO2. To reach net zero emissions in agriculture, these post-application emissions need to be cut. Improved agricultural practices can reduce – albeit not eliminate – post-application emissions by raising nitrogen use efficiency, which averages 50% globally today but can be as high as 70% in some countries, including the US.
Some improvements to nitrogen use efficiency are also expected under our base case, such as from the adoption of biologicals and precision agriculture, which economically cut fertilizer demand by 18% versus business as usual. A significant change in crop rotation practices is unlikely to happen under the ETS, however, as that would require a change in dietary preferences toward increased consumption of legumes. While incumbent ammonia use decreases in agriculture, it could find new uses as fuel in shipping.
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In the race to reduce carbon emissions, regional, national and international policymakers don’t have time to wait
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For more detailed information,
explore Delivering Net Zero: A Framework for Policymakers.
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Transport
The movement of people and goods via cars, buses, ships, planes and other forms of transportation accounts for one-seventh of total global CO₂ emissions each year. Within transportation, emissions from road vehicles has been rising sharply, particularly as developing nations put more cars on the roads.
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