The Nitric Acid Climate Action Group

Nitrous oxide (N₂O) is a very potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential 265 times that of carbon dioxide (CO₂). One major source of N₂O emissions is the production of nitric acid, which is used for manufacturing nitrogen-based fertiliser.

In a new drive to improve pre-2020 mitigation of N₂O from nitric acid production and incentivise long-term sectoral transformation, the German Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety (BMU) has launched the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG). The long-term objective of the initiative is to incentivise the installation of effective N₂O abatement technology in every nitric acid plant worldwide. NACAG’s vision is for the N₂O emissions of an entire industrial sector to be mitigated on a global scale.

Tunisia, Jordan, Mexico, Argentina and the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina have signed the Declaration of the NACAG. They thereby express their support for the goals of the alliance. Tunisia has also signed the Statement of Undertaking, committing itself to permanently reduce nitrous oxide emissions from nitric acid production. Tunisia is thus the first country that is eligible for financial support under the NACAG.