GRI

Our Greenhouse Gas
Impact in Context

Like many other industrial processes, nitrogen fertilizer production is energy- and emissions-intensive. But without the natural gas-based production in North America, global emissions would likely rise as production from Chinese coal-based facilities increased. Coal is significantly more emissions-intensive than natural gas. Equally as important, the world’s population is growing, but the percentage of land that can be used for farming is not. CF’s goal is to minimize emissions while helping farmers maximize yield on available acres.

Though fertilizer’s impact is relatively small compared to other sources, we understand the risks of climate change and are taking steps to ensure emissions reductions. We do this in a variety of ways, from choosing cleaner feedstocks to improving the efficiency of our plants to influencing how our products are used on the farm.

Fertilizer is responsible for 50% of the world’s food production
But its lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions account for less than 2% of global emissions

Source: FAOSTAT and Internal CF Data

Understanding the
Lifecycle Impact of CF Products
CF’s recent capacity expansions have displaced Chinese production, which is three times more GHG-intensive  —avoiding an estimated 4.2 million tons of CO2e annually.

MANUFACTURING

Cleaner inputs lead to cleaner outputs. While carbon emissions are an unavoidable chemical byproduct of ammonia production, the level of equivalent carbon dioxide (CO2e) emissions generated is tied to the type of feedstock used: natural gas in the case of CF or anthracite coal by some producers in China.

Ongoing capital investments in technology and equipment at our plants enabled us to achieve a 5.3% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions intensity from 2017 to 2018.

distribution

Our distribution network is designed to get product where farmers need it with the least possible impact. CF’s distribution facilities are located close to North America’s major crop-growing regions, and we move product via truck, barge, rail and pipeline.

use

An important focus of our emissions reduction efforts is where our products are used — on the farm. What would happen if synthetic fertilizers disappeared?

  • 30% more farmland would be needed to grow food.
  • To do this, carbon-sequestering forests would have to be cleared.
  • Global GHG emissions would increase nearly 10%.

At the same time, overuse of nitrogen fertilizers can cause harm to waterways and damage long-term soil quality. Our support of programs like 4R Plus allows us to educate farmers on efficient fertilizer use.

Today, nitrogen is applied far more efficiently than in decades past.

128%
MORE CORN
Produced using only
6.9%
MORE FERTILIZER
1980 vs. 2016*

More food. Less impact. With the world population expected to reach 9.8 billion people by 2050, fertilizer will play a critical role in preserving natural resources while helping to feed the planet.

Source: Compiled by The Fertilizer Institute from data reported by NASS, USDA