Nitric Acid Climate Action Group: avoiding nitrous oxide emissions

Context

Nitric acid is an important raw material in the chemical industry, especially for fertiliser production. The manufacture of nitric acid releases nitrous oxide (N₂O) into the atmosphere, a greenhouse gas that depletes ozone and is 273 times more harmful to the climate than carbon dioxide (CO₂). Businesses have no incentive to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. And yet, N₂O abatement is relatively inexpensive, costing between 1 and 5 euros per tonne of CO₂ equivalent saved.

The potential for climate change mitigation in this industry is huge. We estimate that worldwide, more than 1 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent could be saved in the next ten years. This would make an important contribution to achieving the Paris Agreement climate targets.

Against this background, the German Federal Government launched the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG). NACAG’s goal is to create greater incentives for the permanent reduction of nitrous oxide emissions in the nitric acid industry.

Objective

Partner countries are implementing policy measures to permanently avoid nitrous oxide emissions that are released during the production of nitric acid.

Approach

The Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH is supporting the Federal Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) in implementing the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group.

NACAG supports specific financial, technical and policy measures to reduce nitrous oxide emissions. For example, the initiative advises on institutional framework conditions in partner countries. It also promotes the use of climate protection technology, also providing funding under certain circumstances.

In return, the partner countries undertake to permanently and independently reduce the nitrous oxide emissions which are released during the manufacture of nitric acid. For this purpose, NACAG finances the installation of climate protection technology in authorised production plants and supports partner countries, for example in the long-term regulation of these emissions. The project also helps in making the partner countries’ nationally determined contributions more ambitious.

Last update: March 2023