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Food, climate and biodiversity: a trilemma of mineral nitrogen use in European agriculture

Author

Listed:
  • Rémi Prudhomme

    (UMR CIRED, CIRAD)

  • Raja Chakir

    (Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Paris Saclay Applied Economics)

  • Anna Lungarska

    (US ODR, INRAE)

  • Thierry Brunelle

    (UMR CIRED, CIRAD)

  • Narayanappa Devaraju

    (LSCE - Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement)

  • Nathalie de Noblet

    (LSCE - Laboratoire des Sciences du Climat et de l’Environnement)

  • Pierre-Alain Jayet

    (Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Paris Saclay Applied Economics)

  • Stéphane De Cara

    (Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Paris Saclay Applied Economics)

  • Jean-Christophe Bureau

    (Université Paris-Saclay, INRAE, AgroParisTech, Paris Saclay Applied Economics)

Abstract

Mineral nitrogen (N) application in agriculture has significantly increased food production over the past century. However, the intensive use of N fertilizers also impacts negatively the environment, notably through greenhouse gas emissions and biodiversity loss and remains a major challenge for policymakers. In this paper, we explore the effects of a public policy aiming at halving agricultural mineral nitrogen use across the European Union (EU). We investigate the impacts on food security, climate mitigation, and biodiversity conservation and we analyze the potential trade-offs and synergies between them. Despite the uncertainties associated with monetary valuation and the choice of modeling approach, our results show that climate- and biodiversity-related benefits of halving N use in EU agriculture more than offset the decrease in agricultural benefits.

Suggested Citation

  • Rémi Prudhomme & Raja Chakir & Anna Lungarska & Thierry Brunelle & Narayanappa Devaraju & Nathalie de Noblet & Pierre-Alain Jayet & Stéphane De Cara & Jean-Christophe Bureau, 2022. "Food, climate and biodiversity: a trilemma of mineral nitrogen use in European agriculture," Review of Agricultural, Food and Environmental Studies, Springer, vol. 103(3), pages 271-299, September.
    • Handle: RePEc:spr:roafes:v:103:y:2022:i:3:d:10.1007_s41130-022-00173-3
    DOI: 10.1007/s41130-022-00173-3
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    1. Robert Finger, 2023. "Digital innovations for sustainable and resilient agricultural systems," European Review of Agricultural Economics, Oxford University Press and the European Agricultural and Applied Economics Publications Foundation, vol. 50(4), pages 1277-1309.
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    3. Huber, Robert & Späti, Karin & Finger, Robert, 2023. "A behavioural agent-based modelling approach for the ex-ante assessment of policies supporting precision agriculture," Ecological Economics, Elsevier, vol. 212(C).

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