UNEP's Nutrient Brief focuses on the crucial role of nutrients in the environment and human well-being, particularly in the context of the "triple planetary crisis" of climate change, nature and biodiversity loss, and pollution. It emphasizes the need for sustainable nutrient management to address issues like pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, and food security.
Addressing nutrient pollution through Regional Seas Conventions & Action Plans
The Regional Seas Conventions and Action Plans aim to address the accelerating degradation of the world’s oceans and coastal areas by fostering cooperation among neighbouring countries through comprehensive and targeted actions to protect their shared marine environments. These frameworks have played a significant role in tackling nutrient pollution. For instance, the Northwest Pacific Action Plan has developed tools for assessing eutrophication; the Cartagena Convention has adopted a Regional Nutrient Pollution Reduction Strategy and Action Plan for the Wider Caribbean Region; and the Barcelona Convention has conducted assessments focused on nutrient pollution in the Mediterranean Sea.
Read more: Regional Seas Programme | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
UNEP supports the monitoring of the amounts of nutrients in coastal waters
Excess nitrogen and phosphorus in marine environments can lead to eutrophication, triggering massive algal blooms that deplete oxygen in the water column. In severe cases, this results in hypoxia or 'dead zones' where marine life cannot survive. UNEP serves as the custodian agency responsible for global monitoring efforts, including Sustainable Development Goal indicator 14.1.1(a) on coastal eutrophication.
Read more: Indicator 14.1.1(a) | UNEP - UN Environment Programme
Assessing Nutrient Pollution
In 2023, UNEP and FAO jointly published the Global Nitrous Oxide Report, drawing attention to a critical yet often overlooked climate threat. Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a potent greenhouse gas and one of the leading ozone-depleting substances. Its primary sources are synthetic fertilizers and manure used in agriculture.
Read more: Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment
Policy development support
UNEP provides policy development support to member states. Responding to the call of UNEA resolutions on sustainable nitrogen management (4/14 and 5/2), UNEP has provided technical and financial support to Sri Lanka and Trinidad and Tobago in developing national action plans on sustainable nitrogen management.
Legal support
UNEP provides legal and technical support to its member states. UNEP developed a guide on legal, policy and regulatory frameworks for an integrated approach to reducing the nitrogen footprints of individual sectors in 2024. The aim is to provide countries with information that can assist them in strengthening, developing and implementing laws, policies, and regulations to accelerate action to reduce nitrogen waste.
Read more: Document Viewer
Communication and advocacy
UNEP developed a Foresight Brief on sargassum in 2021 and the Synthesis Report on the Environmental and Health Impacts of Pesticides and Fertilizers and Ways to Minimize Them in 2022, in cooperation with FAO and the World Health Organization.
UNEP launched the UN Global Campaign on Sustainable Nitrogen Management in 2019.
World Environment Situation Room (WESR)
Information pertaining to nutrients has been made available via the World Environment Situation Room (WESR), which is a federated data platform that provides access to the best openly available environmental data, information, and knowledge. Equipped with robust analytical tools, it supports informed decision-making, policy development, and action at global, regional, national, and local levels for environmental protection and sustainable development.
Read more: Main page | WESR
