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

Bunge announces reporting segment changes and recast outlook

Bunge Global SA has announced that it has changed its segment and volume reporting to align with the... Read more

Open Trade Coalition calls for bold and open EU trade policy

As the European Parliament prepares for the confirmation hearings of the new Commissioners, the Open... Read more

Rio Tinto Q3 results show strong production across the portfolio

Multinational mining company, Rio Tinto, has releases its third quarter 2025 production results showing... Read more

Robe River JV to invest $733m to extend Western Australia iron ore mine

Rio Tinto, Mitsui and Nippon Steel will invest $733 million1 (Rio Tinto share $389 million) to develop... Read more

Cargill deploys AI robot dog 'Spot' to enhance safety, reliability and innovation

Cargill has introduced Boston Dynamics’ four-legged robot, Spot, at its Amsterdam Multiseed crush... Read more

Holcim strengthens West Australia presence with BGC acquisition

Holcim Australia has announced that Cement Australia (CA) - its joint venture with Heidelberg Materials... Read more

Heidelberg takes final investment decision for CCS project in UK

Heidelberg Materials and the UK Government have reached a funding agreement to build the world&rsquo... Read more

Bunge signs agreement to acquire grain elevator assets of North West Terminal

Bunge has signed a purchase agreement to acquire the grain elevator assets of North West Terminal Ltd... Read more

SSAB achieves IEA threshold for near-zero CO2e emissions steel

SSAB Zero steel produced with hydrogen-reduced iron from HYBRIT technology is the world’s first... Read more

Trafigura expands $400M US EXIM-Backed Revolving Credit Facilities

Trafigura, a global leader in the commodities industry, has successfully renewed and expanded the scope... Read more