Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction Protocol (NERP): What’s Next

Nov. 3, 2010Den Haag

Clyde Graham

What the heck is NERP?

Nitrous Oxide Emission Reduction Protocol (NERP) Reduces on-farm emissions of nitrous oxide in a

quantifiable, credible and verifiable way that would allow farmers to earn carbon credits.

Approved in the Canadian province of Alberta, the first jurisdiction in North America to actively regulate Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emissions and establish a regulatory carbon trading market. 

NERP is based on applying fertilizer using Best Management Practices. The 4R nutrient stewardship system is applying the Right Source @Right Rate, Right Time, Right Place®.

Three levels of application (basic, intermediate and advanced),

NERP addresses the pillars of sustainable development: environmental, social and economic.

The bottom line15% to 25 % reduction in Nitrous Oxide emissions from fertilizer application

New science could almost double those estimates

Manages the risk of Nitrate accumulation in soils

Right Source

@

Right Rate,

Right Time,

Right Place®

Performance Level

Right Source Right Rate Right Time Right Place

ReductionModifier

Basic Ammonium-based

formulation;

Apply N according to recommendation of 4R N stewardship plan*, using annual soil testing and/or N balance to determine application rate.

Apply in spring; or Split apply; or Apply after soil cools

in fall

Apply in bands / Injection

0.85

Intermediate

Ammonium-based formulation; and

Use slow / controlled release fertilizers; or

Inhibitors; or Stabilized N

Apply N according to qualitative estimates of field variability (landscape position, soil variability)

Apply fertilizer in spring; or

Split apply; or Apply after soil cools

in fall if using slow / controlled release fertilizer or inhibitors / stabilized N

Apply in bands / Injection

0.75

Advanced

Ammonium-based formulation; and

Use slow / controlled release fertilizers; or

Inhibitors; or Stabilized N

Apply N according to quantified field variability (e.g. digitized soil maps, grid sampling, satellite imagery, real time crop sensors.) and complemented by in season crop monitoring

Apply fertilizer in spring; or

Split apply; or Apply after soil cools

in fall if using slow / controlled release fertilizer or inhibitors / stabilized N

Apply in bands / Injection

0.75

Right SourceAny fertilizer which releases more than

two-thirds of its N in the ammonium form.Slow or controlled release

fertilizers/inhibitors/stabilized N

Right RateSoil TestVariable RateLandscape specific

Right Time

•Spring Application

•Split Application

•Soil Temperature – if fall applied

Right PlaceBanding – concentrating the application

Putting NERP to the test

The Second Green Revolution“The challenge for your industry is to be at the head of this green revolution as you were at the head of the last one. Just as you have helped turn farming from a subsistence business into a flourishing industry that feeds the world, I now call on you to work with farmers, environmentalists and governments to help fine-tune agriculture into a business that feeds the world without harming the natural world.”

- Hon. George Webster, P.E.I. Minister of Environment, Energy and Forestry

FAO saysAgricultural production will need to increase by at

least 70 percent to meet demands by 2050Food security requires agricultural production

systems to change in the direction of higher productivity.

Higher productivity tends to increase GHG emissions

The sustainable intensification of production, especially in developing countries, can ensure food security and contribute to mitigating climate change by reducing deforestation and the encroachment of agriculture into natural ecosystems

Climate-Smart Agriculture

High productionIntensifiedResilientSustainableLow‐emission

Climate-Smart AgricultureFAO NERP

High production NERP supports increased production of crops through better management

Intensified NERP rewards higher intensity on existing farmland

Resilient NERP promotes conservation agriculture

Sustainable NERP is environmentally AND economically sustainable; Social: supports food security

Low‐emission NERP reduces emissions per kilo of grain or oilseeds

NERP BenefitsDrives practice change

Comprehensive, professionally developed 4R plan advances better N management.

Support for NERP enhances infrastructure to continue advances in N management.

Provides leading edge for ecosystem services

Documentation prescribed by NERP requires assessment of total farm N balance.

Documentation provides proof of claim of management to support water quality trading.

What’s next for NERP?

NERP: What’s NextScience Cluster to refine scienceTraining for professional advisorsFarmer extension -- under Global Research

Alliance FundingExpanding NERP: Saskatchewan, Ontario,

U.S. states, Europe, AustraliaNERP as the basis for eco-labeling

Science Cluster

Fertilizer industry support for scientific research projects in Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta. Two projects under way.

Focus is to improve measurement of the impact that the NERP can have on reducing Nitrous Oxide (N2O) emissions in crop production.

Goal is to increase offset payments by refining the scientific understanding of N2O reductions.

Farmer ExtensionGlobal Research Alliance 2011-12Access portion of $27 million in Canadian

fundingGrant deadline Dec. 7

NERP Professional Training

Agricultural Professionals seeking certification as an Accredited Professional Advisor (APA).

Project DevelopersAgricultural Producers VerifiersGovernmentStudents/Teachers

Accreditation Process APA

NERP adoption in Canada

Spreading NERPSaskatchewan, Ontario showing strong

interestManitoba may be looking at non-offset

adoptionOther provinces?The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has been

promoting NERP in the United StatesEurope showing new interest

NERP Lessons LearnedChange should be a challenge4R Nutrient Stewardship is flexible and

adaptablePractice-based approach is better than

performance if you want resultsBroad scientific consensus is essentialBe conservative in emission reduction

estimatesGet scientists, government, farmers in on the

ground floorIt takes longer than you think

NERP and Corporate Environmentalism

NERP as an eco-labelNERP could be adapted as an eco-label to

meet growing demands by Tropicana, Walmart, Sobey’s, European biofuels industry for carbon/environmental footprint

NERP could be an internationally recognized standard

www.cfi.ca

Thank You