Nitrogen use efficiency in Scotland: annual report 2023

Introduction

This is the first annual report under section 5(1)(c) of the Climate Change (Nitrogen Balance Sheet) (Scotland) Regulations 2022 ("the Regulations"), and complements the latest published version of the Nitrogen Balance Sheet for the year 2020 Section 5(1)(c) of the Regulations requires that a copy of this report is laid before the Scottish Parliament.

Section 5(2) of the Regulations requires that this report contains —

a figure for nitrogen use efficiency, and the period of time to which that figure relates,

any revised figure for nitrogen use efficiency in relation to a period of time preceding the period of time to which the report relates and the reason for the revision, and

an assessment of—

progress towards implementing proposals and policies relevant to improving nitrogen use efficiency in Scotland,

any future opportunities for improving nitrogen use efficiency in Scotland, and

how nitrogen use efficiency is expected to contribute to the achievement of future emissions reduction targets ("emissions reduction target" has the meaning given by section 98 of the Climate Change (Scotland) Act 2009) i.e. an annual target, an interim target or the Net Zero emissions target.