Development of a Nitrous Oxide Reduction Protocol Presented By: Rob Janzen, Ph.D. P.Ag. VP, Western Operations ClimateCHECK Presented To: M-AGG Workshop

Development of a Nitrous Oxide Reduction Protocol

Presented By:

Rob Janzen, Ph.D. P.Ag.VP, Western OperationsClimateCHECK

Presented To:

M-AGG Workshop10 June 2010University of California Davis

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About ClimateCHECK

• GHG management services, strategic advisory, GHG inventories, carbon offset protocols and origination• Completed nearly 400 assignments and 100 methodologies cleantech

and GHG management• Involved in many standards initiatives including WRI, CDSB, IEEE, CAR,

VCS, CDM,…

• Cofounded GHG Management Institute (501c3 based in DC)• 4,000 members in 100 countries• Partners: UNFCCC, WRI, CDP, TCR, Earthscan, World Bank• GHGMI Programs ― GHG training program (e-learning), Membership

with online portal, Professional certification program

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• The Fertilizer Institute represents US fertilizer industry (producers, importers, retailers, wholesalers and companies serving the fertilizer industry).

• Full-time Washington D.C. staff in various legislative, education and technical areas as well as with information and public relations programs.

• The Fertilizer Institute is currently collaborating with ClimateCHECK to develop a protocol to implement and verify N2O emission reductions through the utilization of the 4R Nutrient Stewardship System.


N2O Emission Reduction Protocol (NERP)

• NERP is developed by experienced protocol developers through comprehensive and transparent consultation with qualified stakeholders, within the discipline imposed by the ISO 14064 standard.

• NERP is based on best available science, implemented according to a comprehensive and globally-adopted 4R system for sustainability of fertilizer management.

• NERP is championed by the institutes representing major participants in the manufacturing, distribution, and retail segments of the plant nutrients sector of North America — Canadian Fertilizer Institute, International Plant Nutrients Institute, and The Fertilizer Institute.

• NERP is supported by commitments of substantive funding from industry for efforts ranging from basic research in nitrogen dynamics to training of farm advisors.

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Protocol Development — NERP

• N2O Emission Reduction Protocol (Alberta Offset System)• Based on 4R model to minimize accumulation of nitrate N, as compiled in

IPNI literature review.• BMPs organized into Basic, Intermediate, Advanced performance levels

according to a 4R N management plan.• N2O emission reduction from change in amount of N added (rate)

quantified by Canada-specific NIR method, and reductions from change in N management (source, time, place) accounted by reduction modifiers.

• Canada-specific approach based on extensive field data, as interpreted by consensus of national team of experts, and as reviewed in UNFCCC process.

• Reduction modifier derived from literature review of N2O emission reductions associated with BMPs, as interpreted by expert consensus.

• Training of 14 000 Certified Crop Advisors in North America.

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NERP Offsets — Sample data for corn

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Fertilizer (kg N ha-1)

Corn Yield(kg DM ha-1)

Reduction(kg CO2e kg-1 DM)

Reduction(Mg CO2e ha-1)

170.0 7750 0.047 0.366

127.5 (↑NUE) 7750 0.099 0.767

127.5(↑NUE, ↑DM) 9300 0.125 1.165

Baseline — fertilizer 170 kg N ha-1 (150 lb N ac-1) and yield 7750 kg DM ha-1 (145 bu ac-1); N2O of 2.44 Mg CO2e ha-1 and 0.314 kg CO2e kg-1 DM corn.

Project — increase NUE and DM yield; Basic NERP performance level, reduction modifier = 0.85.


Protocol Development — Schedule Q3/Q4 2010

• Engage experts in science-based process.• Assessing Baseline.• Identify common practice for N management.• Compile evidence that 4R plan serve as ‘gateway to reductions’.

• Identifying Project BMPs / technologies.• Identify 4R-conformant BMPs / technologies to reduce N2O emissions for

various climate and cropping regions of the US.• Develop quantification approach.• Balance sensitivity and verifiability.• Implement at level of Major Land Resource Areas (MLRAs).• Align to inventory method to account for amount of N (Right Rate) and

management of N (Right Source, Right, Time, Right Place).

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Protocol Development — Schedule Q3/Q4 2010• Supported by on-line solution to coordinate process.• Structured and partly-automated online workflow management system

for development of protocol• Faster, easier, more reliable expert qualification for working groups.• Standardized rules/procedures.• Templates and workspace — what to do and how to do it.• Justification and documentation for decisions.

• Working group task management, communication, approvals, glossary• Structured and partly-automated online workflow management system

for validation of protocol• Automatically checks for completion of work.• Validation by authorized expert panel.• Community policing.• Independent qualified validator.

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Documents

Development of a Nitrous Oxide Reduction Protocol Presented By: Rob Janzen, Ph.D. P.Ag. VP, Western Operations ClimateCHECK Presented To: M-AGG Workshop