Abating N in Nordic agriculture - Policy, measures and way forward

JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT

卷:236

Article

Hellsten, Sofie¹  Dalgaard, Tommy²  Rankinen, Katri³  Torseth, Kjetil⁴  Bakken, Lars⁵  Bechmann, Marianne⁶  Kulmala, Airi⁷  Moldan, Filip¹  Olofsson, Stina⁸  Piil, Kristoffer⁹  Pira, Kajsa¹⁰  Turtola, Eila¹¹ 

[1] IVL Swedish Environm Res Inst, POB 5302, SE-40014 Gothenburg, Sweden

[2] Aarhus Univ, Dept Agr, DK-8830 Tjele, Denmark

[3] Finnish Environm Inst, POB 140, FI-00251 Helsinki, Finland

[4] NILU Norwegian Inst Air Res, POB 100, NO-2027 Kjeller, Norway

[5] Norwegian Univ Life Sci, POB 5003, NO-1432 As, Norway

[6] Norwegian Inst Bioecon Res, NIBIO, POB 115, NO-1431 As, Norway

[7] Cent Union Agr Producers & Forest Owners MTK, POB 510, FI-00101 Helsinki, Finland

[8] Swedish Board Agr, Dept Plant & Environm, POB 12, SE-23053 Alnarp, Sweden

[9] SEGES Danish Agr & Food Council FmbA, Agro Food Pk 15, DK-8200 Aarhus N, Denmark

[10] Air Pollut & Climate Secretariat, Forsta Langgatan 18, SE-41328 Gothenburg, Sweden

[11] Nat Resources Inst Finland Luke, Tietotie 4, FI-31600 Jokioinen, Finland

关键词: Nordic countries;    Reactive nitrogen;    Nitrogen management;    Nitrogen policy;    Ammonia emissions;    Nitrogen surplus;   

DOI  :  10.1016/j.jenvman.2018.11.143

来源: Elsevier

【 摘 要 】

During the past twenty years, the Nordic countries (Denmark, Sweden, Finland and Norway) have introduced a range of measures to reduce losses of nitrogen (N) to air and to aquatic environment by leaching and runoff. However, the agricultural sector is still an important N source to the environment, and projections indicate relatively small emission reductions in the coming years. The four Nordic countries have different priorities and strategies regarding agricultural N flows and mitigation measures, and therefore they are facing different challenges and barriers. In Norway farm subsidies are used to encourage measures, but these are mainly focused on phosphorus (P). In contrast, Denmark targets N and uses control regulations to reduce losses. In Sweden and Finland, both voluntary actions combined with subsidies help to mitigate both N and P. The aim of this study was to compare the present situation pertaining to agricultural N in the Nordic countries as well as to provide recommendations for policy instruments to achieve cost effective abatement of reactive N from agriculture in the Nordic countries, and to provide guidance to other countries. To further reduce N losses from agriculture, the four countries will have to continue to take different routes. In particular, some countries will need new actions if 2020 and 2030 National Emissions Ceilings Directive (NECD) targets are to be met. Many options are possible, including voluntary action, regulation, taxation and subsidies, but the difficulty is finding the right balance between these policy options for each country. The governments in the Nordic countries should put more attention to the NECD and consult with relevant stakeholders, researchers and farmer's associations on which measures to prioritize to achieve these goals on time. It is important to pick remaining low hanging fruits through use of the most cost effective mitigation measures. We suggest that N application rate and its timing should be in accordance with the crop need and carrying capacity of environmental recipients. Also, the choice of application technology can further reduce the risk of N losses into air and waters. This may require more region-specific solutions and knowledge-based support with tailored information in combination with further targeted subsidies or regulations.

【 授权许可】

Free