Enviro News Asia, Bonn — The United Nations body supervising the Paris Agreement carbon market mechanism has adopted a new methodology aimed at reducing nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from nitric acid production, marking a significant step in expanding global climate action under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism.
The decision was approved during a meeting of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body in Bonn this week. The new framework allows projects that cut N₂O emissions from nitric acid plants to generate carbon credits under the Paris Agreement system.
Nitrous oxide is considered one of the most powerful greenhouse gases, with a warming effect significantly stronger than carbon dioxide. According to the UN body, global N₂O levels have increased by approximately 40 percent since 1980. The gas is now included in 97 percent of recent Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement.
The industrial production of nitric acid remains one of the largest sources of N₂O emissions worldwide. Around 400 to 600 nitric acid plants currently operate globally, producing nearly 70 million tonnes annually, primarily for fertilizer manufacturing. Many facilities are located in developing countries where emission reduction technologies have not yet been widely implemented.
Through the newly adopted methodology, countries and industries will be able to deploy proven abatement technologies at a larger scale, enabling measurable emission reductions while supporting national climate commitments.
Chair of the Article 6.4 Supervisory Body, Mkhuthazi Steleki, stated that the adoption represents concrete progress in delivering practical climate solutions under the Paris Agreement.
“This is a strong step forward in delivering real emission reductions through the mechanism,” Steleki said. “We are expanding into sectors where proven solutions exist and where action can have an immediate impact.”
Vice-Chair Jacqui Ruesga added that the mechanism continues to strengthen the integrity of global carbon markets by adopting new methodological tools and standards.
In addition to the N₂O methodology, the Supervisory Body also adopted a methodological tool addressing “lock-in risk,” aimed at preventing projects from prolonging the use of outdated high-emission technologies. The body also revised standards on “additionality” to ensure projects demonstrate climate benefits beyond business-as-usual practices.
The UN body said these measures are essential to maintaining credible, transparent, and environmentally sound carbon markets aligned with the goals of the Paris Agreement.
Further methodological developments are currently underway, including proposals targeting clean cooking technologies and household energy systems, sectors expected to deliver both climate mitigation and sustainable development benefits.
The Supervisory Body is also continuing the development of the Paris Agreement carbon market registry system to facilitate the issuance, tracking, and use of carbon credits globally. (*)
