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A National Nitrogen Target for Germany

Author

Listed:
  • Markus Geupel

    (German Environment Agency, Section II 4.3, Postfach 14 06, 06813 Dessau-Rosslau, Germany)

  • Jürg Heldstab

    (INFRAS, Binzstr. 23, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Bettina Schäppi

    (INFRAS, Binzstr. 23, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Judith Reutimann

    (INFRAS, Binzstr. 23, 8045 Zurich, Switzerland)

  • Martin Bach

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany)

  • Uwe Häußermann

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany)

  • Lukas Knoll

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany)

  • Laura Klement

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany)

  • Lutz Breuer

    (Institute of Landscape Ecology and Resource Management (ILR), Research Centre for BioSystems, Land Use and Nutrition (iFZ), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Heinrich-Buff-Ring 26, 35392 Giessen, Germany
    Centre for International Development and Environmental Research (ZEU), Justus Liebig University Giessen, Senckenbergstrasse 3, 35390 Giessen, Germany)

Abstract

The anthropogenic nitrogen cycle is characterized by a high complexity. Different reactive nitrogen species (NH 3 , NH 4 + , NO, NO 2 , NO 3 − , and N 2 O) are set free by a large variety of anthropogenic activities and cause numerous negative impacts on the environment. The complex nature of the nitrogen cycle hampers public awareness of the nitrogen problem. To overcome this issue and to enhance the sensitivity for policy action, we developed a new, impact-based integrated national target for nitrogen (INTN) for Germany. It is based on six impact indicators, for which we derived the maximum amount of nitrogen losses allowed in each environmental sector to reach related state indicators on a spatial average for Germany. The resulting target sets a limit of nitrogen emissions in Germany of 1053 Gg N yr −1 . It could serve as a similar means on the national level as the planetary boundary for reactive nitrogen or the 1.5 °C target of the climate community on the global level. Taking related uncertainties into account, the resulting integrated nitrogen target of 1053 Gg N yr −1 suggests a comprehensible INTN of 1000 Gg N yr −1 for Germany. Compared to the current situation, the overall annual loss of reactive nitrogen in Germany would have to be reduced by approximately one-third.

Suggested Citation

  • Markus Geupel & Jürg Heldstab & Bettina Schäppi & Judith Reutimann & Martin Bach & Uwe Häußermann & Lukas Knoll & Laura Klement & Lutz Breuer, 2021. "A National Nitrogen Target for Germany," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 13(3), pages 1-18, January.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:13:y:2021:i:3:p:1121-:d:484748
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Salomon, Markus & Schmid, Elisabeth & Volkens, Annette & Hey, Christian & Holm-Müller, Karin & Foth, Heidi, 2016. "Towards an integrated nitrogen strategy for Germany," Environmental Science & Policy, Elsevier, vol. 55(P1), pages 158-166.
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    Cited by:

    1. Xinxin Song & Huanhuan Pu & Yingying Zhang & Xuguang Liu & Yongqiang Zhao, 2023. "Characteristics of nitrogen flow and environmental cost of reactive nitrogen in the source area of the Yellow River Basin, China," Environment, Development and Sustainability: A Multidisciplinary Approach to the Theory and Practice of Sustainable Development, Springer, vol. 25(11), pages 13379-13397, November.

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