Study: Nitrogen fertilizers cause emissions growth

Nitrogen fertilizers are responsible for about five percent of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is the result of a new study published in Nature Food. According to the study, the greenhouse gases CO2, nitrous oxide (laughing gas) and methane are produced during the production and use of nitrogen fertilizers. Natural gas, coal and petroleum are often used as raw materials and fuels to produce those fertilizers. Using nitrogen fertilizers thus causes greenhouse gas emissions similar to those of the cement and plastics industries, accounting for six and four percent of global emissions, respectively.