The role of nitrogen management in achieving global sustainable development goals

Zhang C, Gu B, Liang X, Lam S K, Zhou Y, & Chen D. “The role of nitrogen management in achieving global sustainable development goals.” Resources, Conservation and Recycling, 201, 107304. DOI: 10.1016/j.resconrec.2023.107304

Reactive nitrogen (Nr) is indispensable for agricultural production and human nutrition. But if not managed well, it is detrimental to human health and ecosystem services, impeding the UN 2030 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) achievement. Here we conduct a structured evidence-based review to explore the role of nitrogen (N) in achieving 17 SDGs with 169 targets. We demonstrate that Nr use can enable the accomplishment of 76 targets, while potentially hinder 36 targets. The progress toward the N-related SDG targets varies significantly across countries, reflecting diverse prioritization of the SDGs. Mitigation measures targeting one specific Nr pollution may bring trade-offs among targets, emphasizing the need for integrated Nr management across sectors and regions to achieve the overall SDGs synergistically. We highlight the technical, structural, and consumption-based measures on N management to achieve synergies among different SDGs across countries.