The House of Lords Environment and Climate Change Committee has started an inquiry into how we use and manage nitrogen effectively. This inquiry covers many areas like agriculture, waste treatment, and food waste management.
The goals of this inquiry are clear:
- Find ways to capture and reuse nitrogen to cut down on waste.
- Identify challenges to managing nitrogen sustainably.
- Examine changes in the nitrogen cycle and the resulting problems.
- Spot gaps in current policies and regulations about nitrogen pollution.
- Look into how government departments work together on nitrogen issues and if they can improve this coordination.
To support this inquiry, the Committee is asking for input from various sources, including the public, experts, and academics. They want to hear about:
- The main sources of nitrogen pollution in the UK and potential solutions.
- The effects of nitrogen pollution on health, the environment, and the economy.
- Current government policies and regulations related to nitrogen.
- Successful practices in monitoring and managing nitrogen.
Baroness Sheehan, the Committee’s Chair, emphasizes the importance of nitrogen. She notes that it is vital for life and healthy ecosystems, but too much of it can lead to significant pollution problems. This affects air and water quality, greenhouse gas emissions, and soil health. She believes current measures are not enough to tackle nitrogen pollution effectively.
Baroness Sheehan has invited anyone impacted by nitrogen pollution to share their experiences. The Committee aims to explore how the government can create a more comprehensive approach to managing nitrogen.
If you want to participate, you can find a list of questions and submission details on the Committee’s website. The deadline for submissions is Friday, March 7, 2025.
The inquiry’s first session will occur on Wednesday, February 5, and will focus on the nitrogen cycle and existing policy gaps. Participants include:
- Dr. Ulli Dragosits, Group Leader for Emission Sources at the UK Centre for Ecology & Hydrology
- Professor Kevin Hicks, Senior Research Fellow at the University of York
- David Baldock, Senior Fellow at the Institute for European Environmental Policy
This session begins at 10 AM in Committee Room 3 at the Palace of Westminster. You can watch it live or later on Parliament TV.
Source link
wastewater-treatment
