Rare metals trade: Year-on-year growth in Japanese imports since Apr 2021

Abstract

Nitrogen (N) has played an important role in the global economy, food security, and environmental sustainability. However, the recent developments in nitrogen science have raised concerns about the negative impacts of the excessive and imbalanced use of N on human health, ecosystem, and environmental sustainability. It is being argued that improving nitrogen use efficiency (NUE) and reducing N losses are critical for a country to be food secure and environmentally healthy. Recent advances in nitrogen management suggest that a range of technological solutions and policy instruments are needed to tackle “the nitrogen challenge.” Globally, different policies have started recognizing the nitrogen challenge and suggesting measures for sustainable N use across different sectors. Pakistan is one of the leading nitrogenous fertilizer consuming countries in the world, but its average NUE is far below than the global average. Low NUE has led to a massive concurrent N surplus that is being lost to the environment in one or the other way. Currently, Pakistan lacks institutional and regulatory frameworks to address and control the damaging effects of excessive and imbalanced N use. Yet, there is no direct N management policy available in Pakistan and the indirect N-related policies do not adequately address “the nitrogen challenge.” Given this scenario, the institutional and regulatory setup requires modernization of all practices and procedures involved in N production to consumption encompassing all relevant sectors such as agriculture, livestock, transport, and industry to reduce N waste and emissions and increase NUE. Reducing N waste and increasing NUE will help Pakistan reap benefits for environmental sustainability, food security, and overall economy.