Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction (NERP)

Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction Protocol (NERP): What’s Next Nov. 3, 2010 Den 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 line
15% 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 Reduction Modifier 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 Source
Any fertilizer which releases more than two-thirds of its N in the ammonium form.
Slow or controlled release fertilizers/inhibitors/stabilized N

Right Rate
Soil Test
Variable Rate
Landscape specific

Right Time
Spring Application
Split Application
Soil Temperature – if fall applied

Right Place
Banding – 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 says
Agricultural production will need to increase by at least 70 percent to meet demands by 2050
Food 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 production
Intensified
Resilient
Sustainable
Low‐emission

Climate-Smart Agriculture FAO NERP High production NERP supports increased production of crops through better management Intensified NERP rewards high er 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 Benefits
Drives 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 Next
Science Cluster to refine science
Training for professional advisors
Farmer extension -- under Global Research Alliance Funding
Expanding NERP: Saskatchewan, Ontario, U.S. states, Europe, Australia
NERP 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 (N 2 O) emissions in crop production.
Goal is to increase offset payments by refining the scientific understanding of N 2 O reductions.

Farmer Extension
Global Research Alliance 2011-12
Access portion of $27 million in Canadian funding
Grant deadline Dec. 7

NERP Professional Training
Agricultural Professionals seeking certification as an Accredited Professional Advisor (APA).
Project Developers
Agricultural Producers
Verifiers
Government
Students/Teachers

Accreditation Process APA

NERP adoption in Canada

Spreading NERP
Saskatchewan, Ontario showing strong interest
Manitoba may be looking at non-offset adoption
Other provinces?
The Fertilizer Institute (TFI) has been promoting NERP in the United States
Europe showing new interest

NERP Lessons Learned
Change should be a challenge
4R Nutrient Stewardship is flexible and adaptable
Practice-based approach is better than performance if you want results
Broad scientific consensus is essential
Be conservative in emission reduction estimates
Get scientists, government, farmers in on the ground floor
It takes longer than you think

NERP and Corporate Environmentalism

NERP as an eco-label
NERP 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

Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction (NERP)

by Farming First on Nov 11, 2010

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Nitrous Oxide Emissions Reduction (NERP) — Presentation Transcript