On 4 November 2021, an event focusing on advances in the abatement of nitrous oxide emissions in Colombia took place within the framework of the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP 26). The representatives of the Colombian Ministry of Environment and the German Federal Ministry of the Environment, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety highlighted Colombia’s advancements in the climate-friendly transformation of the nitric acid sector.
Colombia has already covered the nitric acid sector in its updated Nationally Determined Contributions and is currently elaborating on policy measures that secure constant and sustainable mitigation of nitrous oxide emissions in the sector. In her address to the countries representatives at COP 26, the minister of trade, industry and tourism María Ximena Lombana stated Colombia is committed to the climate-friendly industrial transformation. „I would like to highlight the efforts made by the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Tourism as well the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable development of Colombia participating in the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group. As a signer of this initiative, we are committed to reducing the nitrous oxide emissions in the production plants that are based in Columbia”, said Ms. Lombana.
The country has four nitric acid production facilities with a mitigation potential of approximately 600,000 tons of CO2-eq/year, equivalent to approximately 176,000 round flights from Bogota to Berlin for one passenger. All plant operators in Colombia closely cooperate with NACAG on technical matters. The video on the climate strategy of NACAG’s partner production facility Monómeros with reference to NACAG was aired during the event.
In 2020, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Colombia signed the NACAG Declaration, officially showing interest in participating in this initiative and affirming alignment with its goals. Following the signing of the Statement of Undertaking, all production facilities will become in principle eligible for funding through NACAG.
