Supporting the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group (NACAG)

During the production of nitric acid, large amounts of climate-damaging nitrous oxide (N2O) are released into the atmosphere. Although avoiding these emissions is technically relatively simple and comparatively inexpensive, most nitric acid plants are not equipped with the respective technology. NACAG's goal is to create incentives for the permanent reduction of nitrous oxide emissions. The global mitigation potential over the next ten years is well over one gigaton of CO2e. To this end, it provides both technical and political support: the initiative advises governments on the long-term regulation of these emissions and helps integrate the sector into Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). Besides, it finances the installation and operation of climate technology in eligible production facilities. Partner countries must provide a binding commitment to continue mitigation activities under their responsibility from 2024 onwards to qualify for funding.

Project data

Countries: Argentina, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Cuba, Georgia, Indonesia, Jordan, Mexico, Pakistan, Peru, Thailand, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Viet Nam, Zambia, Zimbabwe
IKI funding: 50,727,000.00 €
Duration: 11/2016 till 12/2025
Status: open
Implementing organisation: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ) GmbH
Political Partner: Diverse climate change relevant institutions in the respective partner countries/Diverse klimarelevante Institutionen in den entsprechenden Partnerländern

Federal Ministry of Environment and Tourism - Bosnia and Herzegovina

Ministry of Agriculture - Georgia

Ministry of Climate Change - Pakistan

Ministry of Ecology and Environment - China

Ministry of Economy - Argentina

Ministry of Economy and Finance of the Republic of Uzbekistan

Ministry of Environment (MINAM) - Peru

Ministry of Environment - Jordan

Ministry of Environment - Tunisia

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources (SEMARNAT) - Mexico

Ministry of Environment and Natural Resources Management - Zimbabwe

Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development (MinAmbiente) - Colombia

Ministry of Industry - Indonesia

Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MoNRE) - Thailand

Ministry of Science, Technology and the Environment (CITMA) - Cuba
Online: http://www.nitricacidaction.org/

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State of implementation/results

The declaration of the Nitric Acid Climate Action Group was signed by Argentina, Indonesia, Jordan, the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Colombia, Cuba, Mexico, Pakistan, Thailand, Tunisia, Uzbekistan, Zambia, Vietnam and Zimbabwe. These countries have thus officially expressed their interest in cooperation.
Once the Statement of Undertaking has been signed, financing agreements will be prepared for the commissioning of effective abatement technology. The Statement of Undertaking commits to introducing appropriate regulations to keep the nitric acid sector permanently low in emissions. The Statement of Undertaking has so far been signed by Georgia, Mexico, Thailand, Tunisia, Zimbabwe, Argentina, Peru, Colombia, Jordan and Uzbekistan. The reduction potential in these countries amounts to over 2.77 million tons of CO2 equivalents per year.
Eighteen companies have applied for funding from NACAG for the installation of abatement technology. 11 companies have received funding contracts with a total volume of around 26.5 million euros. This shows the interest of the private sector in the initiative.
Countries that are unable to receive financial support and international chemical companies are also in contact with the NACAG secretariat on the subject of reducing nitrous oxide emissions.
There is also an exchange with China, although no financial support is provided.
Financing agreements for the commissioning of efficient abatement technology have been concluded with nitric acid and caprolactam producers in Mexico, Georgia, Zimbabwe, Tunisia, Jordan, Uzbekistan, Colombia, Thailand and Argentina. The reduction potential at these partner plants amounts to around 2.5 million tons of CO2 equivalents. Mexico, Colombia, Tunisia, Pakistan, Zimbabwe, Jordan, Peru, Uzbekistan and Vietnam have included the nitric acid sector in their current NDCs (total reduction potential of 4.9 million tCO2e annually).
Following advice from NACAG, the plant in Peru has decided to finance the costs of procuring and installing the N2O catalyst itself. NACAG is now advising the plant and the Ministry of the Environment on the monitoring and reporting of N2O emissions and has developed an MRV tool for this purpose.
The study on N2O emissions from the production of nitric acid, adipic acid and caprolactam in industrialized countries, which was commissioned by NACAG and carried out by the Öko-Institut, has now been completed and the results discussed with numerous stakeholders. The study and a summary are available at the following link.
The website (www.nitricacidaction.org) is constantly updated.

Latest Update:
12/2024