Thu, Aug 05, 2021:On Demand
Background/Question/Methods
The GEF/UNEP project “Towards the International Nitrogen Management System” (INMS) is a science-support process for nitrogen policy development, addressing:
I. Development of tools and methods for quantifying the nitrogen cycle,
II. Scaling up to provide the global picture, including future scenarios,
III. Regional demonstration of a ‘full-nitrogen approach’ across seven world regions,
IV. Communication and awareness raising.
This presentation focuses on IV, in relation to three key questions: 1) Why is there so little public awareness of nitrogen pollution? 2) What kind of information is needed from ecologists and other scientists to support global policy making? 3) How should a future intergovernmental process look like to be effective in addressing the global nitrogen challenge?
Results/Conclusions Why so little nitrogen awareness? Multi-actor engagement and analysis conducted as part of INMS has shown a contradiction between a huge scientific knowledge versus little public and policy awareness. This appears to be driven by several major reasons: • Nitrogen is complex, with multiple sources, forms, impacts and solutions. This is attractive to scientists, but confusing for the public. • Scientists and policymakers tend to specialize, leading to fragmentation of nitrogen issues. • There has been insufficient ‘marketing’ by scientists of why nitrogen represents one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. Efforts by INMS are addressing these concerns, showing how a joined-up approach can have multiple benefits for air, water, climate, food, energy and economy. This has resulted in the UN Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management (UNEP/EA.4/Res.14) and the Colombo Declaration, where the latter identifies the ambition to ‘halve nitrogen waste’ from all sources globally by 2030, aiming to save US$100 billion annually. What are the information needs? Stakeholder engagement is showing the importance of addressing all forms of nitrogen pollution in an integrated way. INMS has produced the first UN Guidance Document on Integrated Sustainable Nitrogen Management (ECE/EB.AIR/2020/6). In parallel with new guidance underway on nitrogen indicators and flows, completion of the first International Nitrogen Assessment is planned for 2022. How should an intergovernmental process look? Four options were considered: i) Status quo of fragmentation between UN conventions, ii) one convention to take the lead, iii) a new nitrogen convention, and iv) a coordination mechanism to get the UN working more effectively together. The fourth option is now being developed, making the most of existing evidence/policies, working toward more coherent approach in the Interconvention Nitrogen Coordination Mechanism (INCOM).
Results/Conclusions Why so little nitrogen awareness? Multi-actor engagement and analysis conducted as part of INMS has shown a contradiction between a huge scientific knowledge versus little public and policy awareness. This appears to be driven by several major reasons: • Nitrogen is complex, with multiple sources, forms, impacts and solutions. This is attractive to scientists, but confusing for the public. • Scientists and policymakers tend to specialize, leading to fragmentation of nitrogen issues. • There has been insufficient ‘marketing’ by scientists of why nitrogen represents one of the most important challenges of the 21st century. Efforts by INMS are addressing these concerns, showing how a joined-up approach can have multiple benefits for air, water, climate, food, energy and economy. This has resulted in the UN Resolution on Sustainable Nitrogen Management (UNEP/EA.4/Res.14) and the Colombo Declaration, where the latter identifies the ambition to ‘halve nitrogen waste’ from all sources globally by 2030, aiming to save US$100 billion annually. What are the information needs? Stakeholder engagement is showing the importance of addressing all forms of nitrogen pollution in an integrated way. INMS has produced the first UN Guidance Document on Integrated Sustainable Nitrogen Management (ECE/EB.AIR/2020/6). In parallel with new guidance underway on nitrogen indicators and flows, completion of the first International Nitrogen Assessment is planned for 2022. How should an intergovernmental process look? Four options were considered: i) Status quo of fragmentation between UN conventions, ii) one convention to take the lead, iii) a new nitrogen convention, and iv) a coordination mechanism to get the UN working more effectively together. The fourth option is now being developed, making the most of existing evidence/policies, working toward more coherent approach in the Interconvention Nitrogen Coordination Mechanism (INCOM).