Why does fertiliser carbon footprint matter?
Farmers have plenty of reasons to keep an eye on their farm’s carbon footprint – from economic benefits to reputational and regulatory considerations.
Fertilisers are crucial for boosting crop production, but their use also comes with greenhouse gas emissions.
This opens up a significant opportunity for ongoing innovation to further cut down agriculture’s environmental impact.
By reducing the carbon footprint of fertilisers, farmers can not only stay ahead of changing environmental regulations but also tap into new market opportunities, meet growing demand for low-carbon products, improve their public image, and even save costs.
Consumer demand for low-carbon food: What it means for farmers
The demand for lower-carbon farming is no longer driven by regulations and policy alone, people want food that’s been produced in a way that’s more environmentally friendly – and brands are responding.
Food companies are feeling the pressure from their consumers who want sustainable products and are now asking farmers to demonstrate sustainability through carbon footprinting and emissions data.
Read about how major agri-food supply chain organisations like Nestlé and Arla are enhancing sustainability in their food supply chains:
Sustainability at Nestlé | Nestlé UK & Ireland
The reality is that carbon reduction is now a vital part of a brand’s promise to its consumers but it’s farmers who must bear the cost.
How fertiliser use contributes to greenhouse gas emissions
Researchers at the University of Cambridge have discovered that roughly one-third of emissions associated with fertilisers are released during their production.
The remaining two-thirds are released at the time the fertiliser is applied to the crop in the field.
After application, fertilisers release a greenhouse gas called nitrous oxide (N₂O), which is around 300 times more potent than carbon dioxide.
These emissions result from microbial activity in the soil as nitrogen from the fertiliser breaks down – especially when fertiliser is over-applied or used under poor conditions.
Read more advice on how to make the most of fertiliser applications on-farm.
Because N₂O is included in carbon footprint calculations as CO₂-equivalent emissions, its release significantly contributes to the overall carbon footprint of farming operations.
Fundamentally, to effectively improve the overall carbon footprint of fertiliser usage in agriculture, we must look at both how fertiliser is produced and how it’s being used.
What farmers need to know about low carbon fertilisers
Fertilisers are one of the largest contributors to a farm’s carbon footprint.
One of the most effective ways to reduce this impact is to make the switch to nitrate-based fertilisers made with environmentally sustainable methods.
Nutramon Novo is a nitrate-based fertiliser made using biomethane, a renewable gas derived from food waste and manure.
This innovative production process eliminates the reliance on fossil fuels and cuts manufacturing emissions by up to 50%.
The result is a fertiliser that not only performs well agronomically – but also supports more climate-friendly farming by reducing environmental impact.
How synthetic fertilisers are made – and why low-carbon alternatives matter
Most synthetic fertilisers are made using natural gas, a fossil fuel that emits large amounts of CO₂ during production.
Unlike traditional fertilisers, such as ammonium nitrate, which is produced using natural gas, Nutramon Novo is made using biomethane – a combustible gas and renewable alternative to fossil fuels.
Biomethane is made when biogas, which comes from the anaerobic digestion of food waste and animal manure, has undergone a process called “upgrading” which removes unwanted impurities such as CO₂.
How smarter soil nutrition can benefit farm carbon footprints
While choosing the right fertiliser is important, how you manage your soil also has a huge influence on greenhouse gas emissions and fertiliser efficiency.
To give your crops the best start before introducing fertiliser, it’s important to focus on building up the levels of organic matter in the soil.
You can build organic matter by adding compost, manure and keeping crops planted for longer – especially those with extensive root systems like perennials and some cover crops.
These roots help retain carbon-rich substances in the soil, supporting long-term soil health and carbon storage.
Once you have made efforts to improve your soil health, it’s a good idea to conduct regular soil testing.
This will allow you to accurately assess nutrient levels and tailor your fertiliser use to your crop’s actual needs.
When paired with a low carbon fertiliser like Nutramon Novo, these practices can significantly reduce your farm’s carbon footprint.
The wider impact of lower-carbon agriculture
Reducing fertiliser-related emissions plays a vital role in meeting the UK’s Climate Change Act targets and contributing to the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
It also supports the development of more resilient food systems by improving nutrient efficiency and protecting soil health.
The goal is not to eradicate fertiliser use altogether, but rather to make smarter, cleaner, and more sustainable choices.
By selecting low-carbon fertilisers and improving how they’re used, farmers can maximise soil health and protect the environment without compromising crop yields.