The UN Article 6.4 Supervisory Body has approved a new methodology to reduce nitrous oxide (N₂O) emissions from nitric acid production under the Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism.
N₂O is one of the most potent greenhouse gases, with atmospheric concentrations increasing by nearly 40% since 1980. Since nitric acid production is a significant source of N₂O emissions, this new methodology creates a pathway for eligible projects to generate carbon credits while supporting measurable industrial emission reductions.
Globally, around 400–600 nitric acid plants produce nearly 70 million tonnes of nitric acid annually, many of them located in developing countries where N₂O abatement technologies are still limited. The methodology is expected to accelerate the deployment of proven emission reduction technologies and strengthen industrial decarbonisation efforts.
In addition to the N₂O methodology, the Supervisory Body also introduced updated methodological tools focused on lock-in risk and additionality, further enhancing the credibility and integrity of carbon markets under Article 6.4.
This development marks an important transition from carbon market rulemaking to implementation, helping connect climate finance, industrial emission reductions, and Paris Agreement targets through transparent and measurable climate action.
