Soil Association Launches Campaign to Reduce Fossil Fuel-Based Nitrogen Fertilisers

Strategic Insights -

The Soil Association, a prominent environmental organization, has initiated a new campaign to address the critical issue of climate change through the reduction of fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers. The campaign's focus is on urging the UK government to develop a plan for slashing emissions from fertiliser manufacture and use, as the organisation believes that achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions is unattainable without addressing this problem. According to the Soil Association, fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers are 300 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than CO2, posing a significant threat to the government's net-zero ambitions.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Soil Association has launched a campaign to reduce fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers, citing their 300 times higher potency at warming the atmosphere than CO2.
  • The campaign aims to urge the UK government to develop a plan for reducing emissions from fertiliser manufacture and use, given the critical role these fertilisers play in the country's net-zero strategy.
  • The association has expressed concern that the government's current approach, outlined in the Net Zero Strategy, offers no plan for tackling the problem, despite mentioning the impact of these fertilisers on the climate and environment.
  • The Soil Association is also seeking support from the public through its There's no Net Zero without Fixing Fertiliser petition, which calls for the government to set a target for reducing fossil fuel-based fertiliser use and provide incentives and advice to farmers to adopt more nature-friendly approaches.
  • A survey by Soil Association Certification found that 69% of UK citizens are worried by recent evidence of climate change, and 62% want the government and political parties to prioritise policies addressing climate change.

Statistics:

  • Fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers are 300 times more potent at warming the atmosphere than CO2 (Soil Association).
  • 69% of UK citizens are concerned about climate change (Soil Association Certification survey).
  • 62% of UK citizens want the government and political parties to prioritise policies addressing climate change (Soil Association Certification survey).
  • The UK government's Net Zero Strategy offers no plan for tackling the problem of fossil fuel-based nitrogen fertilisers (Soil Association).
  • The Soil Association is targeting the Westminster government first, given its ultimate accountability for net-zero and the majority of fertiliser use in England (Gareth Morgan, Soil Association).

Sources:

  • Soil Association
  • Soil Association Certification
  • Gareth Morgan, head of farming policy at Soil Association