An international group of researchers has applied various scientific techniques to explore how nitrogen-related strategies can enhance air quality and decrease nitrogen deposits in the environment. Their findings indicate that certain actions—including optimizing fuel burning, improving nitrogen use in agriculture, and minimizing food waste—can significantly reduce the number of premature deaths caused by air pollution, as well as lessen losses in crops and damage to ecosystems.
The activities involved in producing food and energy have significantly polluted nitrogen levels, which adversely affects air and water quality and threatens both the climate and ecosystems. The latest research reveals how nitrogen management can mitigate pollution, thereby enhancing public health and supporting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The nitrogen cycle on our planet is one of the boundaries that has been exceeded the most. The release of nitrogen pollutants such as ammonia (NH3), nitrogen oxides (NOx), and nitrous oxide (N2O) from agricultural practices and fossil fuel combustion contributes to air pollution and disrupts ecosystems. These pollutants adversely affect human health, agricultural productivity, and environmental health. With the increasing global demand for food and energy, these harmful effects are projected to escalate.
Despite the potential for nitrogen pollution reduction technologies and strategies—known as “nitrogen interventions”—to improve air quality and ecological health, this area has not been thoroughly studied. There exists a disconnect between conventional research on nitrogen budgets, which tracks nitrogen movement through air, water, and soil but lacks detail on biochemical changes, and Earth science studies, which often focus narrowly on one environmental sector without the broader context of nitrogen flows.
To bridge this knowledge divide, an international research team utilized a range of scientific approaches to assess how nitrogen interventions might enhance air quality and lessen nitrogen deposition. Their work, shared in the journal Science Advances, highlighted that measures such as enhancing fuel combustion efficiency, boosting nitrogen use efficiency in agriculture, and reducing food waste could considerably diminish premature deaths linked to air pollution as well as risks to crops and ecosystems. While these interventions have commonly been evaluated for individual objectives like air or water quality, it’s important to recognize the extensive co-benefits of managing nitrogen for future policy effectiveness and pollution mitigation.
“We developed a comprehensive assessment framework that merges future nitrogen policy scenarios with integrated assessment models, air quality models, and dose-response relationships to evaluate how ambitious actions can alleviate air pollution and ecological impacts at localized levels,” says Yixin Guo, the primary author and a postdoctoral researcher with concurrent appointments at Peking University and IIASA.
The research indicates that by 2050, ambitious nitrogen management strategies could reduce global emissions of ammonia and nitrogen oxides by 40% and 52%, respectively, compared to 2015 levels. These reductions would significantly curb air pollution, saving an estimated 817,000 lives, lowering ground-level ozone levels, and reducing agricultural yield losses. Without such interventions, environmental harm is predicted to intensify by 2050, particularly affecting regions in Africa and Asia. Conversely, implementing these measures would yield the most significant benefits for those same regions.
“Our findings suggest that the advantages of nitrogen interventions will expand over time, with more pronounced impacts by 2050 than by 2030. The greatest decreases in ammonia and nitrogen oxides are projected in East and South Asia, primarily through improved agricultural practices and the adoption of technology in industrial sectors. These reductions will facilitate lower levels of air pollution, aiding many regions in meeting the World Health Organization’s interim targets. Furthermore, as populations increase, the health benefits of these interventions are expected to grow, particularly in developing regions,” adds Yixin.
“Our study underscores that nitrogen interventions can make substantial contributions to several SDGs, including Good Health and Well-being (SDG 3), Zero Hunger (SDG 2), Responsible Consumption and Production (SDG 12), and Life on Land (SDG 15),” states Lin Zhang, a co-author of the study and an associate professor in the Department of Atmospheric and Oceanic Sciences at Peking University.
“This collaborative research illustrates how IIASA’s findings can be applied on a global scale. Solutions to address environmental issues will differ by region, allowing for tailored policy suggestions even for complex challenges like nitrogen pollution,” concludes Wilfried Winiwarter, a co-author of the study and a senior researcher in the Pollution Management Research Group of IIASA’s Energy, Climate, and Environment Program.
