Why in news?
Spearheaded by Sri Lanka with support from the UNEP, UN member states endorsed a proposed roadmap for action on nitrogen challenges called the Colombo Declaration on Sustainable Nitrogen Management.
About the declaration:
- The declaration aims to halve nitrogen waste by 2030.
- Though Nitrogen is a critical element for building structures of living organisms, its overuse has negative impacts on the planet, biodiversity and is a contributor to the climate crisis, as well as promoter of eutrophic zones affecting fishing and tourism industries.
- As part of the Declaration, environment ministers and officials representing the governments of more than 30 countries endorsed UN plans for acampaign on sustainable nitrogen management called “Nitrogen for Life”.
- This campaign stems from the Sustainable Nitrogen Management Resolution which was adopted during the fourth session of the UN Environment Assembly held in March, 2019 at the UNEP headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
- The Colombo Declaration has been developed with the technical support of the International Nitrogen Management System (INMS), a joint activity of the UNEP and the International Nitrogen Initiative supported by the Global Environment Facility.
- It provides $100 billion opportunity to mobilize innovation for the nitrogen circular economy, while contributing to the environment, health and livelihoods.
- It further urges countries to conduct a comprehensive assessment on nitrogen cycling covering policy, implementation, regulation and scientific aspects at a national level.
- This is the first time governments have agreed to work together on a major quantitative global goal for improved nitrogen management.
