This urgency shaped discussions at the workshop From international momentum to national implementation: Towards the ambition of halving nitrogen waste and pollution by 2030 and beyond, held on 10 June in Bonn as part of the UNFCCC Climate Meetings.

Convened by Compassion in World Farming with partners including UNEP, the German Development Cooperation (GIZ), and the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM), the event focused on translating global commitments into national action to meet the ambition of halving nitrogen waste and pollution by 2030.

From global commitments to national action

The discussions built on growing international momentum. UNEA resolutions, the Colombo Declaration’s commitment to halve nitrogen waste by 2030, and targets under both the Paris Agreement and the Global Biodiversity Framework all point to the need for urgent action. At the same time, with nitrous oxide now the third most significant greenhouse gas, reducing emissions from fertiliser use and manure management is critical.

A growing climate and economic challenge

Speakers emphasised that while nitrogen is essential for food production, its mismanagement drives pollution, biodiversity loss and greenhouse gas emissions. Mark Sutton, Director of the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS), highlighted annual economic losses of USD 200 to 600 billion and described the current moment as a third global fertiliser crisis, driven by geopolitical instability and rising input costs.

Solutions already within reach

Sutton stressed that solutions are already available and can deliver strong returns. Practical measures such as incorporating manure into soils can significantly improve nitrogen use efficiency and reduce emissions. More broadly, he called for nitrogen action to be reframed as an investment opportunity. Building more circular and resilient systems, alongside improving access to data and tools, will be key to reducing dependency on volatile fertiliser markets.

Whole-system approaches at national level

Building on discussions at the 2025 Bonn Climate Conference, which highlighted financing, farmer resistance and data gaps, this year’s workshop focused on practical pathways to implementation. Country examples were shared including from Japan, Romania, and Sri Lanka.

Yuri Yoshida of Japan’s Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries emphasised the need for a whole-system approach. Japan’s national nitrogen action plan includes targets to reduce chemical fertiliser use by 30% and an expansion of organic farming to one million hectares, equivalent to a quarter of the country’s farmland.

Breaking down barriers to implementation

Speakers were clear that significant barriers remain. Financing and subsidy reform emerged as critical levers for change. Esha Zaveri of the World Bank highlighted that current agricultural subsidies often incentivise excessive fertiliser use, shaping farmer behaviour in harmful ways. Advising that around half of global food production occurring in regions where nitrogen application does more harm than good to yields, she stressed the urgent need to repurpose subsidies to prioritise long-term soil health and sustainability.

Ensuring a fair and workable transition

Speakers also emphasised that the transition must be carefully governed to bring farmers along. William San Martin of IN-Net highlighted the importance of creating an enabling environment that avoids farmer backlash, ensures fairness, and shares responsibility across the value chain to build legitimacy.

Existing tools and initiatives can already support rapid progress. Gregory Kohler of the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) pointed to readily available approaches, including improved fertiliser management and soil health monitoring.

Turning momentum into action

Key calls to action emerging from the workshop included:

scaling up practical, farm-level solutions to improve nitrogen use efficiency, including better manure management and precision application techniques
repurposing harmful agricultural subsidies to incentivise sustainable practices and long-term soil health
strengthening national nitrogen action plans with clear targets, monitoring frameworks and cross-sector coordination
investing in data, measurement tools, and knowledge-sharing platforms to support implementation
ensuring a just transition by engaging farmers, sharing responsibility across the supply chain, and building trust and legitimacy.

The discussions reinforced that improving nitrogen management is central to climate mitigation, cleaner air and water, healthier soils, and more resilient food systems. At a time of instability, it is also a key strategy for reducing vulnerability and building more sustainable agrifood systems.

Accelerating action on nitrogen in a time of global instability