Adopt low-emission fertilizer strategies

This methodology quantifies and certifies emission reductions from improved fertilizer management in managed soils. It applies globally and covers two sources: the cradle-to-gate footprint of the fertilizer itself, and the nitrous oxide emitted after application in the field. A project can target either source, or both, and interventions can be combined.

Eligible interventions include switching to fertilizers with a lower product carbon footprint, switching from synthetic to organic fertilizer, precision fertilization, and balanced multi-nutrient management. Partial substitution counts: where only the nitrogen component of an NPK fertilizer is replaced, reductions are quantified for that component alone.

Reductions are certified as Inset Units that agri-food companies can report against their Scope 3 and FLAG inventories. In line with the SBTi Corporate Net-Zero Standard V2.0, direct mitigation takes priority: the intervention is traced to specific emission sources inside the buyer's supply chain through chain of custody documentation, purchase and application records, or verified sourcing certificates. Where traceability to a source or activity pool cannot yet be established, indirect mitigation is recognized as an intermediate step toward supply chain transformation.