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Non-point source (NPS) pollution has been increasingly serious in China since the 1990s. The increases of agricultural NPS pollution in China is evaluated for the period 2000−2008 by surveying the literature on water and soil pollution from fertilizers and pesticides, and assessing the surplus nitrogen balance within provinces. The main causes for NPS pollution were excessive inputs of nitrogen fertilizer and pesticides, which were partly the result of the inadequate agricultural extension services and the rapid expansion of intensive livestock production with little of waste management. The annual application of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers and pesticides in China increased by 50.7 and 119.7%, respectively, during 1991−2008. The mitigation measures to reduce NPS pollution include: correct distortion in fertilizer prices; improve incentives for the recycling of organic manure; provide farmers with better information on the sound use of agro-chemicals; and tighten the regulations and national standards on organic waste disposal and pesticides use.

Synthetic nitrogen (N) fertilizer has played a key role in enhancing food production and keeping half of the world's population adequately fed. However, decades of N fertilizer overuse in many parts of the world have contributed to soil, water, and air pollution; reducing excessive N losses and emissions is a central environmental challenge in the 21st century. China's participation is essential to global efforts in reducing N-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions because China is the largest producer and consumer of fertilizer N. To evaluate the impact of China's use of N fertilizer, we quantify the carbon footprint of China's N fertilizer production and consumption chain using life cycle analysis. For every ton of N fertilizer manufactured and used, 13.5 tons of CO₂-equivalent (eq) (tCO₂-eq) is emitted, compared with 9.7 t CO₂-eq in Europe. Emissions in China tripled from 1980 [131 terrogram (Tg) of CO₂-eq (Tg CO₂-eq)] to 2010 (452 Tg CO₂-eq). N fertilizer-related emissions constitute about 7% of GHG emissions from the entire Chinese economy and exceed soil carbon gain resulting from N fertilizer use by several-fold. We identified potential emission reductions by comparing prevailing technologies and management practices in China with more advanced options worldwide. Mitigation opportunities indude improving methane recovery during coal mining, enhancing energy efficiency in fertilizer manufacture, and minimizing N overuse in field-level crop production. We find that use of advanced technologies could cut N fertilizer-related emissions by 20-63%, amounting to 102-357 Tg CO₂-eq annually. Such reduction would decrease China's total GHG emissions by 2-6%, which is significant on a global scale.

Much of the research on the nitrogen cycle aims to improving scientific understanding but is not focused specifically on removing or reducing the scientific uncertainties that constrain policy makers in the formulation of appropriate responses to old or emerging environmental problems. Policy makers, for example, commonly find it difficult to assess the spatial or temporal importance of the various risks to human and ecosystem health that stem from man's interference with the natural N cycle. This paper will justify this conclusion by reference to the findings of a recent study on non-point pollution from crop production in China. The findings concern the perceived risks of groundwater nitrate to human health; uncertainties about critical NO^sub x^ levels and their interactions with other pollutants; various other dimensions of man's impact on the N cycle. The paper will go on to suggest a more systematic process or pathway by which scientists can select and design their research in a manner that could give more effective support to policy makers.[PUBLICATION ABSTRACT]

China has drawn up plans to move to a low-carbon growth path as part of its contribution to global climate change mitigation. It aims to decrease national carbon intensity (the ratio of carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions per unit of economic activity measured as gross domestic product (GDP)) in 2020 to 40-45% of its 2005 value largely by increasing energy efficiency in the industry and transport sectors. At present agriculture is not a formal part of the low-carbon plans in spite of the research findings presented in this chapter, which indicate that in 2007 agriculture and the agrochemical industry accounted for over 10% of China's total fossil energy use, and 19-22% of its greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Moreover, most of the measures to mitigate agricultural greenhouse gases (GHGs) have low or negative costs because of the high economic and environmental benefits they provide whereas carbon abatement costs in most other sectors of the economy are up to US$100 per tonne of carbon eliminated (McKinsey 2009). Some of the measures will also increase carbon sequestration but the net contribution is likely to be modest (see next section).

This paper has three aims. First, to examine how the negative environmental consequences of intensive agriculture have driven China and the UK to shift away from narrowly focused farm output policies and adopt more holistic green development pathways. Second, to explore the policy objectives they have in common. Third, to assess the numerous opportunities for joint research and knowledge sharing through the Sustainable Agriculture Innovation Network and other existing institutional mechanisms. The intensification of agricultural production in the UK started several decades earlier than in China as did the negative environmental consequences of the farm practices. However, their strategies and policies for sustainable intensification and green development have much in common. These are set out in two main documents: the Chinese State Council guidelines for green agriculture and the UK Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs 25 Year Environment Plan. There are substantial mutual advantages from greater collaboration on problem identification and monitoring; the development of appropriate technological and management responses and the formulation of sound policies. To achieve this potential, it is recommended that further thought be given to how best to bring together all of the key stakeholders along the whole food chain.

In many respects the development of agriculture in China over the last 50 years is an outstanding success story. In China 22% of the world's current population are fed from only 7% of the world's agricultural land. From 1995 to 2005, the total number of undernourished people in the world increased by 48 million, while in China, it decreased by 16 million (FAO 2009). Per capita availability of grain in China increased from 326 kg in 1980 to 399 kg in 2008, meat from 9 kg to 42 kg, while total population increased from 987 million to 1.33 billion in the same period (NBSC 2009).

By 2100, 11 billion people will inhabit the Earth, and the magnitude of this projection raises questions about how prevalent starvation and malnutrition will be in the 22nd century. To prevent social and ecological disaster, a new strategy for sustainable agriculuture is needed to expand Earth's carrying capacity and keep food production ahead of population growth.

Offers an interdisciplinary exploration of the implications of changes in institutional design and policy reform now underway at the global level. Ultimately, these changes will provide sustainable growth in agricultural production. Particular attention is given to the institutions that conduct research and implement changes in technology and practice in the fields of agriculture and health, as well as those that monitor the changes in resource endowments, the quality of the environment and the health, and productivity of the human resources employed in agricultural production.