TY - JOUR

T1 - Stewardship to tackle global phosphorus inefficiency: The case of Europe

AU - Withers, P.J.

AU - van Dijk, K.C.

AU - Neset, T.S.

AU - Nesme, T.

AU - Oenema, O.

AU - Rubaek, G.H.

AU - Schoumans, O.F.

AU - Smit, B.

AU - Pellerin, S.

PY - 2015/2/15

Y1 - 2015/2/15

N2 - The inefficient use of phosphorus (P) in the food chain is a threat to the global aquatic environment and the health and well-being of citizens, and it is depleting an essential finite natural resource critical for future food security and ecosystem function. We outline a strategic framework of 5R stewardship (Re-align P inputs, Reduce P losses, Recycle P in bioresources, Recover P in wastes, and Redefine P in food systems) to help identify and deliver a range of integrated, cost-effective, and feasible technological innovations to improve P use efficiency in society and reduce Europe’s dependence on P imports. Their combined adoption facilitated by interactive policies, co-operation between upstream and downstream stakeholders (researchers, investors, producers, distributors, and consumers), and more harmonized approaches to P accounting would maximize the resource and environmental benefits and help deliver a more competitive, circular, and sustainable European economy. The case of Europe provides a blueprint for global P stewardship.

AB - The inefficient use of phosphorus (P) in the food chain is a threat to the global aquatic environment and the health and well-being of citizens, and it is depleting an essential finite natural resource critical for future food security and ecosystem function. We outline a strategic framework of 5R stewardship (Re-align P inputs, Reduce P losses, Recycle P in bioresources, Recover P in wastes, and Redefine P in food systems) to help identify and deliver a range of integrated, cost-effective, and feasible technological innovations to improve P use efficiency in society and reduce Europe’s dependence on P imports. Their combined adoption facilitated by interactive policies, co-operation between upstream and downstream stakeholders (researchers, investors, producers, distributors, and consumers), and more harmonized approaches to P accounting would maximize the resource and environmental benefits and help deliver a more competitive, circular, and sustainable European economy. The case of Europe provides a blueprint for global P stewardship.

U2 - 10.1007/s13280-014-0614-8

DO - 10.1007/s13280-014-0614-8

M3 - Article

VL - 44

SP - 193

EP - 206

JO - AMBIO

JF - AMBIO

SN - 0044-7447

IS - 2

ER -