The Transgression of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary. What is Germany's Internal and External Contribution?

Table of Contents

1 The Planetary Boundary framework and the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary

1.1 The Planetary Boundary framework

1.2 The Planetary Nitrogen Boundary

1.2.1 Foundation of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary

1.2.2 Definition and quantification of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary

2 Operationalization of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary for Germany

2.1 Introduction

2.2 Current literature

2.3 Opportunities vs. critique

2.3.1 Boundaries for production based Nr

2.3.2 Boundaries for consumption based Nr

2.3.3 Summary

3 Germany’s internal and external contribution to the transgression of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary

3.1 Research questions

3.2 Research design

3.3 Method

3.3.1 Indicator

3.3.2 Accounting principles and terminology

3.3.3 MRIO analysis

3.3.4 Legume BNF

3.3.5 Downscaling the PB N and assessing the transgression

3.4 Data

3.5 Results

3.6 Discussion

Research Objectives and Themes

The main objective of this thesis is to quantify the extent to which Germany's final demand for goods and services, both domestically and internationally, contributes to the transgression of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary. The study utilizes an environmentally-extended multi-regional input-output (MRIO) analysis to estimate national nitrogen footprints and assess them against a downscaled, per-capita share of the global safe operating space.

• Application of the Planetary Boundary framework to national nitrogen management.
• Assessment of internal vs. external nitrogen footprints through global supply chains.
• Methodological development for downscaling planetary-level thresholds to national scales.
• Evaluation of Germany's performance regarding sustainable nitrogen consumption and production.
• Discussion of sufficiency approaches as a means to return to safe operating spaces.

Excerpt from the Book

Summary of Chapters

1 The Planetary Boundary framework and the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary: This chapter introduces the theoretical concept of Planetary Boundaries and focuses specifically on the Nitrogen cycle as a critical driver of environmental change.

2 Operationalization of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary for Germany: This section reviews existing literature on benchmarking national performance and discusses the potential for using consumption-based perspectives to inform policy.

3 Germany’s internal and external contribution to the transgression of the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary: This central chapter outlines the research design, the MRIO methodology applied, and presents the empirical results regarding Germany's nitrogen footprints and their comparison to the Planetary Nitrogen Boundary.

Keywords

Planetary Boundaries, Nitrogen Cycle, MRIO Analysis, Germany, Nitrogen Footprint, Sustainability, Consumption-based Accounting, Haber-Bosch Process, Environmental Policy, Legume BNF, Downscaling, Safe Operating Space, Supply Chains, Nitrogen Pollution, Resource Efficiency

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the primary subject of this thesis?

The thesis investigates Germany's contribution to the transgression of the global Planetary Nitrogen Boundary by analyzing the nitrogen impact of its domestic and international consumption of goods and services.

What are the central thematic fields covered?

The work integrates environmental science, specifically the Planetary Boundary framework, with economic input-output modeling and policy analysis regarding nitrogen sustainability.

What is the main goal or research question?

The overarching goal is to determine how German final demand contributes to global nitrogen disruption and whether this consumption keeps the nation within its "fair share" of the global nitrogen budget.

Which scientific methodology is employed?

The research primarily uses an environmentally-extended multi-regional input-output (MRIO) analysis, specifically utilizing the EORA 26 database, to trace nitrogen fertilizer and legume nitrogen fixation through international supply chains.

What topics are discussed in the main part?

The main part covers the operationalization of the nitrogen boundary, the distinction between production-based and consumption-based accounting, and the empirical results of Germany's national nitrogen "shoe size" and its transgression of safe limits.

Which keywords best characterize the study?

Key terms include Planetary Boundaries, Nitrogen Footprint, MRIO Analysis, Germany, Sustainable Consumption, and Nitrogen Cascade.

Why is consumption-based accounting important here?

Consumption-based accounting reveals the external nitrogen impacts generated in other countries to satisfy German demand, highlighting the potential for shifting environmental burdens abroad.

What is the significance of the "shoe size" concept?

The term "shoe size" is used as a proxy for a nitrogen footprint, representing the amount of reactive nitrogen required directly and indirectly to meet a specific level of consumption, facilitating comparisons against global limits.