Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China
Abstract Nitrogen holds a crucial place in sustaining the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus, which underpins human society. Its importance spans food production, energy generation, and water quality preservation. Here we show that comprehensive nitrogen management strategies offer the dual benefits of s...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-05-01
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| Series: | Nature Communications |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60098-5 |
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| _version_ | 1849730894734032896 |
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| author | Binhui Chen Xiuming Zhang Baojing Gu |
| author_facet | Binhui Chen Xiuming Zhang Baojing Gu |
| author_sort | Binhui Chen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Nitrogen holds a crucial place in sustaining the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus, which underpins human society. Its importance spans food production, energy generation, and water quality preservation. Here we show that comprehensive nitrogen management strategies offer the dual benefits of satisfying China’s food requirements and boosting nitrogen energy production from straw by 1 million tonnes (26%) compared to 2020. Simultaneously, these strategies could lead to a reduction of 8 million tonnes (−31%) in nitrogen fertilizer usage, a decrease of 3.8 million tonnes (−46%) in nitrogen-induced water pollution, and a halving of water consumption in agriculture, all relative to 2020 levels. These transformative changes within the FEW nexus could result in national societal gains of around US$140 billion, against a net investment of just US$8 billion. This highlights the cost-effectiveness of such strategies and their potential to support China’s sustainable development goals, especially in hunger relief, clean energy, and aquatic ecosystem protection. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-96e9d96df3aa46acb6388eab2368e9f2 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2041-1723 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-05-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Nature Communications |
| spelling | doaj-art-96e9d96df3aa46acb6388eab2368e9f22025-08-20T03:08:43ZengNature PortfolioNature Communications2041-17232025-05-0116111410.1038/s41467-025-60098-5Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in ChinaBinhui Chen0Xiuming Zhang1Baojing Gu2State Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang UniversityInternational Institute for Applied Systems AnalysisState Key Laboratory of Soil Pollution Control and Safety, Zhejiang UniversityAbstract Nitrogen holds a crucial place in sustaining the food-energy-water (FEW) nexus, which underpins human society. Its importance spans food production, energy generation, and water quality preservation. Here we show that comprehensive nitrogen management strategies offer the dual benefits of satisfying China’s food requirements and boosting nitrogen energy production from straw by 1 million tonnes (26%) compared to 2020. Simultaneously, these strategies could lead to a reduction of 8 million tonnes (−31%) in nitrogen fertilizer usage, a decrease of 3.8 million tonnes (−46%) in nitrogen-induced water pollution, and a halving of water consumption in agriculture, all relative to 2020 levels. These transformative changes within the FEW nexus could result in national societal gains of around US$140 billion, against a net investment of just US$8 billion. This highlights the cost-effectiveness of such strategies and their potential to support China’s sustainable development goals, especially in hunger relief, clean energy, and aquatic ecosystem protection.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60098-5 |
| spellingShingle | Binhui Chen Xiuming Zhang Baojing Gu Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China Nature Communications |
| title | Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China |
| title_full | Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China |
| title_fullStr | Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China |
| title_full_unstemmed | Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China |
| title_short | Managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food-energy-water nexus in China |
| title_sort | managing nitrogen to achieve sustainable food energy water nexus in china |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-025-60098-5 |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT binhuichen managingnitrogentoachievesustainablefoodenergywaternexusinchina AT xiumingzhang managingnitrogentoachievesustainablefoodenergywaternexusinchina AT baojinggu managingnitrogentoachievesustainablefoodenergywaternexusinchina |