Nitrous oxide: Science and governance of a forgotten super pollutant

Nitrous oxide is the third most important greenhouse gas and the most abundantly emitted ozone depleting substance. It has been ignored in environmental policy discussions for decades despite being identified as an ozone depleting substance prior to CFCs and included as one of six greenhouse gases under the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. National and global climate mitigation efforts tend to focus carbon dioxide and methane, reflected in new national commitments and the global methane pledge to reduce emissions by 30% by 2030 presented. And yet, mitigation efforts that exclude nitrous oxide could make it much harder, if not impossible, to meet a range of climate, ozone and sustainable development objectives.

This event offers a first look at an upcoming global nitrous oxide assessment from the Climate and Clean Air Coalition. It highlights the threats of rising nitrous oxide emissions and the multiple benefits from ambitious action. The event will will also spotlight experts from academia, civil society and government to give an overview of current US policy efforts on nitrous oxide across industrial and agricultural sectors, and outline opportunities for international action under the ozone and climate conventions.

6-7.30pm: Event

• Welcome from NYU President Linda Mills
• Key messages from the Global Nitrous Oxide Assessment
  Speakers: David Kanter (NYU), Drew Shindell (Duke), Eric Davidson (University of Maryland)
• Panel: Next steps for action on nitrous oxide (moderated by Richie Kaur, Natural Resources Defense Council)
  - US action on industrial emissions: Avipsa Mahapatra (Environmental Investigations Agency)
  - US action on agricultural emissions: Dan Northrup (Iowa State University)
  - Ozone governance options: Tad Ferris (Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development)
  - Climate governance options: Mumukshu Patel (Climate Advisors)
• Closing remarks: Rick Duke (Deputy Special Presidential Envoy for Climate, US Department of State)