Global Nitrous Oxide Emissions from Synthetic Fertilizer Application

FAOSTAT Emissions Totals data provides estimates of direct nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from synthetic fertilizer use in agriculture. Estimates are computed using IPCC Tier 1 methodology and cover the period from 1961 to 2019, with projections for 2030 and 2050. The dataset is maintained by the FAO and updated annually.

Use Cases

• Analyze trends in N2O emissions from fertilizer use by country and year to assess policy effectiveness.
• Model future emission projections for 2030 and 2050 based on historical data.
• Calculate aggregate CO2 equivalent emissions using global warming potentials from the IPCC AR5 report.
• Correlate national fertilizer application rates with reported N2O emission estimates.

Strengths

• Global country-level coverage for over 58 years (1961-2019).
• Data computed using standardized IPCC Tier 1 methodology for consistency.
• Includes future projections for 2030 and 2050 for some emission categories.

Limitations

• Methodology is at Tier 1 (default) level, which may lack country-specific activity data.
• Projections are not available for all emission categories or countries.
• Sample data and specific row/column counts are not provided for verification.

Provenance

Source

FAOSTAT (Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations).

Collection Method

Computed at Tier 1 of the IPCC Guidelines for National Greenhouse Gas Inventories.

Time Range

1961–2019 with projections for 2030 and 2050.

Freshness

Updated annually.

Geography

Global, by country.