United Nations Economic Commission for Europe Framework Code for Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions

With the success of policies to reduce SO2 and NOx emissions across the UNECE, ammonia (NH3) emissions remain a key challenge for the future. They are one of the largest contributors to acidification and eutrophication, while adding to the burden of particulate matter. As ammonia now offers ‘low-hanging fruit’ for further pollution control, combined with local and transboundary effects on health and ecosystems, there is a strong case to step up international efforts. The Gothenburg Protocol states that each Party “shall establish, publish and disseminate an advisory code of good agricultural practice to control ammonia emissions”. In this context, in 2001 the UNECE established a first “Framework Code for Good Agricultural Practice for Reducing Ammonia Emissions”. In now publishing this revised Framework Code, and disseminating it more widely, authors hope that it can stimulate fresh efforts to establish the national codes. It is a challenge not just for the environment, but an opportunity for farmers to take the benefit through nitrogen savings.