Rate of nutrient (nitrogen or phosphorus) application in soil or, where possible, nutrient discharge to freshwater systems
Unit
Indicator
Metric type
Framework alignment notes
Target example
[Company name] will reduce its rate of nutrient application to soil in [basin] by [target percentage]% by [target year], compared with a baseline of [baseline percentage]% in [baseline year]. They will also reduce nutrient discharge to freshwater systems in [basin] by [target percentage]% by [target year], compared with a baseline of [baseline percentage]% in [baseline year].
Target source: WBCSD target template
Metric assessment
Relevance: Medium
Feasibility: Medium
Additional Metric Notes
ACT-D stage: Assess Maturity stage: Developing Metric Contribution to Action: Measuring nutrient applications and discharges reduces the risk of water pollution from nutrient runoff. Observations/Successes/Challenges: > Requires on-site monitoring and modeling of runoff impacts. > A safe application rate in one region may be excessive in another, depending on soil type and climate. > Doesn’t differentiate between synthetic and organic sources > May not account for cumulative impacts