Nitrous Oxide Emissions

According to a recent report from B’, emissions of planet-warming nitrous oxide (N2O) increased by 40 per cent from 1980 to 2020.

Key Highlights of the Report on Nitrous Oxide Emissions

• Atmospheric Concentrations of N2O and CO2: 
  • N2O: In 2022, atmospheric N2O reached 336 parts per billion, marking a 25% increase from pre-industrial levels. 
  • CO2: In contrast, atmospheric CO2, the primary greenhouse gas after water vapor, measured 417 parts per million in the same year.
• Increase in Human-Generated N2O Emissions: Human-generated N2O emissions have surged by 40% (three million metric tons per year) over the past four decades.
• Dominance of Agricultural Sources: Agricultural practises utilising nitrogen fertilisers like ammonia and animal manure accounted for 74% of total anthropogenic N2O emissions in the past decade.
• Exceeding IPCC Projections: In the past decade, observed atmospheric N2O concentrations have surpassed even the most pessimistic future greenhouse gas trajectories outlined by the IPCC, which could lead to global mean temperatures exceeding 3°C by the end of this century.
• Top Five Emittors: The top five country emitters by volume of anthropogenic N2O emissions in 2020 were China (16.7%), India (10.9%), the United States (5.7%), Brazil (5.3%), and Russia (4.6%).
• Long term Effects: N2O stays in the atmosphere for longer than the average human lifespan (117 years), impacting climate and ozone.
• Environmental Impact of Nitrogen Fertilisers:  Inefficient use of synthetic nitrogen fertilisers and animal manure also leads to the pollution of groundwater, drinking water, and inland and coastal waters.
• Impact of Meat and Dairy Production: The growing demand for meat and dairy products has also contributed to an increase in emissions through the increase in manure production, which also causes N2O emissions. 
  • Increased nitrogen fertilisers used in the production of animal feed have also contributed to the increase.
• Agricultural and Aquaculture Emission Trends: Emissions from agriculture continue to grow, while those from other sectors, such as fossil fuels and the chemical industry, are not growing or declining globally. 
• India’s Standing: India ranks second in the world concerning N2O emissions from nitrogen fertilizers, which are all subsidised by over 80% in India.  

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Nitrous Oxide (N2O)

Nitrous oxide, often referred to as laughing gas or happy gas, is a colorless, odorless, and non-flammable gas. However, it supports combustion as effectively as oxygen does.

• Applications: Nitrous oxide is widely utilized by dentists and medical professionals to sedate patients during minor medical procedures.
  • The gas serves as a propellant in food aerosols. It is employed in the automotive industry to improve engine performance.