About iN-Net
iN-Net is an international network of networks that brings together scientists, policymakers, civil society and other stakeholders to bridge the gap between science and action on nitrogen pollution.
Our partner networks have been working on nitrogen science and policy for years (in some cases, decades). Some already work together closely, others operate more independently.
iN-Net provides a forum for all of these networks to build a policy-relevant research agenda and amplify each other's work with the aim of supporting the UN goal of halving nitrogen waste by 2030.
Nitrogen & the Environment
Nitrogen (N) is an essential nutrient and therefore crucial to global food production. However, its oversupply to agricultural land via manure and synthetic fertilizer and emission to the atmosphere as a by-product of fossil fuel combustion has created one of the most significant environmental threats of our time.
When N is lost to the environment, it contributes to a cascade of environmental and human-health impacts – from air and water pollution, to biodiversity loss, forest decline, greenhouse gas emissions, and destruction of the stratospheric ozone layer.
These losses cause trillions of dollars of damage to society, and therefore reducing this pollution burden could make an enormous contribution to human and ecosystem wellbeing.
Science, meet Policy.
New policies, actions and declarations have emerged across the globe in the past five years focused on halving N waste by 2030. Implementing these ambitious - yet technically achievable - objectives across different climates, cultures and agricultural systems via national action plans is a critical science-policy challenge.
The iN-Net project is a unique opportunity to build on the existing work of our partner networks to coordinate and connect with a range of stakeholders to co-produce and drive a policy-relevant research agenda for halving N waste.
What is a National Action Plan?
In 2022, the UN Environmental Assembly adopted a resolution aspiring to cut nitrogen waste globally by 2030, encouraging Member States to implement national action plans.
These plans are a combination of an overarching national vision for sustainable N management with concrete targets across multiple sectors.
iN-Net’s driving purpose is to support our partner networks to create an enabling environment - through providing data, directing the scientific research agenda, and training scientists and practitioners - for countries to write and implement these plans.
How will we focus our work?
We’ve identified four fundamental scientific barriers to achieving the UN goal of halving N waste by 2030, around which iN-Net has created working groups:
Inconsistent and incomplete data to establish a baseline to measure progress
A lack of effective governance options to implement National Action Plans
Fragmented understanding of the links between nitrogen and climate action
Inability to effectively communicate across scientific communities and stakeholder groups
Support for early career professionals?
iN-Net has several opportunities for early-career researchers and professionals:
The Policy Fellows program connects early-career researchers and professionals with iN-Net partner networks focused on policymaking
The Research Fellows program embeds early-career researchers in the Working Groups to help shape the future nitrogen research agenda
Click below for more information on additional opportunities for involvement
Get involved.
iN-Net endeavors to include voices from all groups impacted by nitrogen pollution. We are building a coalition of stakeholders from academia, industry, government, farmer organizations and civil society, with representation from all regions of the globe.
We have opportunities for participation regardless of background and level of experience. Read more about how to join our working groups, apply for a fellowship, or attend an event.
Join our newsletter to stay up to date on project outputs!
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iN-Net has three working groups focused on major gaps in the nitrogen research space :
Governance
Climate
Data
These working groups are comprised of diverse stakeholders in the nitrogen field, with an emphasis on including voices from multiple disciplines, including the humanities and social sciences.
For more information on the working groups and how to get involved, visit the working groups page.
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iN-Net offers annual policy fellowships for early career professionals to gain experience at the science-policy interface. These fellows will have an opportunity to work directly with national governments, UN working groups, and other organizations shaping environmental policies.
The project also has opportunities for annual research fellowships, embedded in each of the three working groups. These fellows will have a leadership role in the working groups, helping to shape the goals and research objectives of each working group, and contributing to policy reports, articles, and events.
All fellowship recipients will have the opportunity to attend iN-Net’s annual in-person workshop at a different international location each year.
For more information on our fellowships and how to apply, visit our early career opportunities page.
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iN-Net will have one annual in-person workshop at a different international location each year.
In addition to our in-person workshop, we will host plenty of online meetings and webinars, as well as contribute to our partner networks’ events.
Stay up to date on upcoming events and other ways to get involved in iN-Net on our Events & Opportunities page.