IFA and Proba launch global programme for GHG emissions reduction
(Posted on 14/10/24)
The International Fertilizer Association (IFA) is partnering with supply chain decarbonization startup Proba, to support the development of a new quantification and verification standard to incentivize the wider adoption of enhanced-efficiency fertilizers, specifically focusing on nitrification and urease inhibitors. These inhibitors are compounds that can be added to inorganic or organic fertilizers to reduce nitrogen losses, including greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) such as nitrous oxide, by slowing down specific biological processes.
By working with the voluntary carbon market, this programme aims to create a powerful mechanism to share costs and de-risk the adoption of inhibitors across the fertilizer supply chain, using insetting strategies to drive both innovation and sustainability.
Fertilizers are an essential agricultural input, supplying critical nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium to crops. By enhancing soil fertility and boosting crop yield, they are key to feeding the global population and supporting human nutrition. However, the production and application of nitrogen fertilizers alone contribute to about 1.1billion tonnes of CO2-equivalent greenhouse gas emissions, of which about 60% occur as nitrous oxide from agricultural fields 1.
IFA Project lead, Chief Scientist Achim Dobermann, said: “We are excited to begin the first stage of this important project, focused on the downstream supply chain of nitrogen-based fertilizers. We believe that a well-coordinated, science-based, and technology-focused approach led by IFA and its members is more effective and sustainable than a multitude of individual, product-specific protocols. Building on inhibitors as a first use case, this project could evolve towards a broader, sectoral decarbonization program linked to carbon finance.”
Sijbrand Tieleman, CEO at Proba said: “There are too many emissions in the agri-food supply chain, with fertilizers contributing around 7% of the total. These emissions are hard to eliminate, but proven technology exists today to reduce them significantly. Inhibitors, for example, can cut greenhouse gas emissions by up to 50%, depending on regional, crop, and soil conditions. The challenge now is incentivizing the supply chain to adopt this technology at scale. By using an insetting approach – where emissions reductions are accounted for within the supply chain itself – and leveraging carbon finance, we can support farmers in this transition. Downstream participants in the value chain, such as food companies, can report reduced scope 3 emissions and market greener products without fear of greenwashing. The technology is mature, effective, and ready for adoption now. We’re excited to work with IFA to make this vision a reality.”
Latest News
SSAB delivers decarbonised steel to Vattenfall’s solar park project in Germany
(Posted on 29/05/26)SSAB is supplying decarbonised steel to Vattenfall for the construction of the ground-mounted solar... Read more
NGFA statement on STB’s decision to conditionally accept rail merger application
(Posted on 29/05/26)In accordance with the Surface Transportation Board’s merger rules, the Board has conditionally... Read more
EU feed production market forecast highlights continued stability
(Posted on 25/05/26)FEFAC market experts are forecasting continued stability in the EU compound feed production market for... Read more
Fertilizer Action Plan: recognition must now translate into delivery
(Posted on 22/05/26)Fertilizers Europe has acknowledged the European Commission’s Fertilizer Action Plan, which recognises... Read more
Tripartite MOU to establish direct U.S.–DRC cobalt supply chain
(Posted on 14/05/26)Entreprise Générale du Cobalt, EVelution Energy LLC and Trafigura Pte Ltd. has announced... Read more
Commissioning of Oxelösund electric arc furnace delayed due to permitting
(Posted on 14/05/26)SSAB’s conversion of the mill in Oxelösund to fossil-free production is being delayed due... Read more
YEC agreement supports decarbonisation of Rio Tinto’s Pilbara iron ore operations
(Posted on 11/05/26)Yindjibarndi Energy Corporation (YEC), one of Australia’s largest Indigenous-led renewable energy... Read more
ASA Vice President urges caution in USTR Section 301 investigation
(Posted on 11/05/26)Soybean farmers are already facing significant economic headwinds and new trade actions could add further... Read more
ADM investment to upgrade Clinton, Iowa, corn processing facility
(Posted on 11/05/26)ADM, a global leader in innovative solutions from nature, has announced a multimillion-dollar investment... Read more
JV in Bayuquan, China to strengthen global raw material supply chains
(Posted on 04/05/26)CREMER ERZKONTOR GmbH has announced the official opening of its joint venture, CREMER (Yingkou) Supply... Read more
