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International Fertiliser Society (IFS)
International Nitrogen Initiative

Reducing emissions associated with the production and usage of nitrogenous fertilisers

Fertilizer Australia and the International Fertiliser Society are again jointly organising a programme of three online events in 2023. These will take place in late June and early July.

Following on from our successful initiative last year, for 2023 our two organisations have developed a programme of three webinars that will cover a variety of aspects of the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with N fertilisers, which is of prime importance in both Europe and Australia.

These events will run in the last two weeks of June and the first of July. They will include both presentations and panel discussions to explore the challenges of reducing these emissions, whilst still producing the food we need, and ensuring the viability of the agricultural sector. Their aim is to enhance understanding and generate learning points by comparing and contrasting the issues and potential solutions that apply in these two very different parts of the world.

The first event will provide an overview of the role of nitrogen for food and fibre production and what the implications are for GHG emissions, The second will cover the carbon footprint of N fertilisers before they reach the farm. The third will look at current GHG emissions policy environment and how this influences the Best Management Practices (BMPs) that agronomists currently have available to minimise N fertiliser emissions associated with end use.

More detailed information about the content of each event is provided below, while the Biographies buttons lead to information about all the speakers and panellists.

To register for each webinar, click on the REGISTER button for that webinar. Once you have registered, if you wish to return to this webpage, use the Back button in your browser. 

This programme of events will be FREE to all, and participants will be able to put questions to the panellists. Each event will last for approximately 90 minutes.

Overview of the role of nitrogen for food and fibre production and the implications of this for GHG emissions

Tuesday 20 June 2023, 08.00 BST / 09.00 CEST / 15.00 AWST / 17.00 AEST

The four presentations in this webinar covered the role of N in various agricultural systems, the estimation of Nitrogen Usage Efficiency (NUE), the sources, drivers and size of N related Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions losses, and global N emissions assessment.

Chair: John Williams, Senior Soil Scientist, ADAS, UK

The role of N and estimation of NUE in Australia

Speaker: Dr Cameron Gourley
International Nitrogen Initiative, Director Oceania, Australia

The sources and drivers of N fertiliser related GHG emission losses

Speaker: Prof Peter Grace, Queensland University of Technology, Australia

The role of N and estimation of NUE in Europe

Speaker: Dr Luis Lassaletta, Research Centre for the Management of Agricultural and Environmental Risks (CEIGRAM), Polytechnic University of Madrid, Spain

Global variation in direct and indirect impacts of nitrogen use in agricultural N2O and CO2 exchange

Speaker: Prof Wim de Vries, Wageningen University and Research, Netherlands

Following the presentations there was an extensive panel discussion.

Carbon footprint of N fertilisers before they reach the farm

Wednesday 28 June 2023, 08.00 BST / 09.00 CEST / 15.00 AWST / 17.00 AEST

The two presentations in this webinar covered current and anticipated activity to reduce the carbon footprint of large scale production of synthetic N fertiliser and how, in practice, these developments will impact on the industry, the supply chain and farmers, plus a review of innovative technologies to produce low carbon footprint N fertilisers in new ways and their likely impact on the industry.
 

Chair: Willem Frens, BA2C

Current and future progress in reducing the carbon footprint of large scale production of synthetic N fertiliser

Speaker: Joey Dobree, Stamicarbon, Netherlands

Innovative technologies to produce low carbon footprint N fertilisers in new ways.

Speaker: Mark Brouwer, ureaknowhow.com, Netherlands

Following the presentations there was a panel discussion, for which the speakers were joined by Darren Jarvis, Incitec Pivot, Australia and Dr Charlie Day, Monash University / Jupiter Ionics, Australia.

Current GHG emissions policy environment and implications for Best Management Practices

Wednesday 5 July 2023, 08.00 BST / 09.00 CEST / 15.00 AWST / 17.00 AEST

This webinar covered current GHG emissions policy environment and how this influences the Best Management Practices that agronomists currently have available to minimise N fertiliser emissions associated with end usage. As the development of such polices is most advanced in the European Union, this was the focus of the policy review, while the discussion of implications and BMP’s also covered the UK and Australia. 

Chair: Charlie Walker, Incitec Pivot Fertilisers, Australia

The GHG emissions policy environment in the European Union

Speaker: Dr Kevin Hicks, Stockholm Environment Institute, University of York, UK

Practical tools and BMPs available to farmers and agronomists to minimise N fertiliser related GHGs in Australian conditions

Speaker: Dr Rob Norton, University of Melbourne, Australia

Practical tools and BMPs available to farmers and agronomists to minimise N fertiliser related GHGs in European conditions

Speaker: Alastair Leake, The Allerton Project, UK

Following the presentations there will be a panel discussion, for which the speakers will be joined by Dr Debra Turner, CSBP, Australia.

International Fertiliser Society (IFS)
International Nitrogen Initiative