Some Canadian provincial officials recently criticized their federal government for setting a goal of cutting emissions from synthetic fertilizer use by 30 percent by 2030 without first consulting the provinces "on what is achievable or attainable.""Provinces pushed the federal government to discuss this important topic, but were disappointed to learn that the target is already set," Saskatchewan and Alberta ministers of agriculture said in a July 22 statement.
"This has been the most expensive crop anyone has put in, following a very difficult year on the prairies," Alberta Minister of Agriculture Nate Horner said in the release.
"The world is looking for Canada to increase production and be a solution to global food shortages. The Federal government needs to display that they understand this."
Seems to be working out really well in Holland.
Meanwhile, the Canadian fertilizer industry already has a program called 4R Nutrient Stewardship that would, if rolled out across the major farming areas, cut emissions by 15 to 22 percent while also boosting profits by using fertilizers more efficiently. The government’s insistence on the 30 percent figure thus translates to a reduction of about 0.1—0.2 percent of Canada’s 2019 emissions and about 0.002—0.005 percent of world emissions beyond what the industry works to achieve on its own.
Ireland is in a similar situation. Agriculture Minister Charlie McConalogue is reportedly about to agree to a 27 or 28 percent carbon emission reduction goal for his sector.