UN Report Highlights Public Health Risks from Rising Nitrous Oxide Emissions

Baku: A new report from the United Nations warns that nitrous oxide (N₂O), a powerful greenhouse gas, is accelerating climate change and threatening public health by destabilizing efforts to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. Released at the 2024 United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP29) in Baku, Azerbaijan, the *Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment* underscores the urgent need to address rising nitrous oxide emissions, which are increasing more quickly than expected.

Published jointly by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the report reveals that nitrous oxide is currently responsible for roughly 10 percent of net global warming since the onset of the Industrial Revolution and is approximately 270 times more potent than carbon dioxide in terms of climate impact. Primarily emitted from agricultural practices such as the application of synthetic fertilizers and manure, nitrous oxide is the third most significant greenhouse gas, following carbon dioxide and methane, and is now the top ozone-depleting substance released into the atmosphere.

The Assessment highlights that nitrous oxide not only contributes significantly to global warming but also harms the ozone layer, which protects life on Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation. According to the report, addressing nitrous oxide emissions could accelerate ozone layer recovery, reducing UV exposure risks for the global population.

The report stresses that without substantial reductions in nitrous oxide emissions, there is no viable path to achieving the 1.5 degrees Celsius warming limit established in the Paris Agreement. The Assessment outlines strategies that could cut nitrous oxide emissions by over 40 percent from current levels, thereby creating pathways to meet global climate goals and protect public health. According to the report, such reductions could prevent up to 235 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide-equivalent emissions by 2100—equal to about six years of global CO₂ emissions from fossil fuels at current rates.

Furthermore, addressing nitrous oxide could have a transformative impact on global health. UNEP and FAO estimate that reducing nitrous oxide emissions could prevent up to 20 million premature deaths by 2050 due to improved air quality, as nitrous oxide is a significant contributor to ground-level ozone and particulate pollution.

The report calls for ambitious, cross-sectoral measures, particularly within the agriculture sector, which is responsible for the majority of nitrous oxide emissions. Suggested strategies include rethinking food production and nitrogen management to promote sustainable agricultural practices. By transforming these systems, deeper emission reductions could be achieved, helping to drive progress on climate, health, and environmental goals simultaneously.

The *Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment* emphasizes that immediate, coordinated efforts are essential. As UNEP Executive Director Inger Andersen stated, "Reducing nitrous oxide emissions represents a critical opportunity to advance global climate goals while protecting public health and the environment." The findings indicate that achieving the targets of the Paris Agreement will require unprecedented efforts to mitigate this potent greenhouse gas.