India, the second-largest emitter of nitrous oxide (N2O), contributed 11% of global man-made emissions in 2020, mainly from fertilizer use, following China’s 16%. A recent study in Earth System Science Data highlights that atmospheric N2O, a potent greenhouse gas, reached 336 parts per billion in 2022, significantly higher than pre-industrial levels. Despite carbon dioxide being more prevalent, N2O’s long atmospheric lifespan and rapid increase call for immediate action. Agricultural practices, particularly nitrogen fertilizers, account for 74% of these emissions.
India’s Rising Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Fertilizers Demand Urgent Action
![](https://affairsace-media.s3.ap-south-1.amazonaws.com/2024/06/13090521/2023-09-22T110851Z_1175190450_RC2MD3AUDD6S_RTRMADP_3_CANADA-INDIA-POTASH-860x484.jpg)