Drivers of increased nitrogen use in Pakistan

Abstract The trends in human population growth suggest that population will be a primary driver to produce more with limiting resources. Here, we discuss the correlation between population growth and the projected changes in various sectors and the resultant increase in nitrogen (N) use in Pakistan. Main drivers for increasing N use are (i) population; (ii) food and feed production; (iii) livestock population; (iv) land use; (v) dietary patterns; (vi) power generation; (vii) industry; and (viii) transport. As N use increases, it adds into N emissions, impacts biodiversity, and increases air and water pollution and eutrophication, which raise concerns about human health and socioecological sustainability and abatement costs. Given the important role of N in economy, food security, human health, and environment, a detailed discussion on critical N drivers is essential to improve our understanding about N cycling/dynamics. In Pakistan, a steadily increasing N consumption calls for optimizing N demand and use. Development and enforcement of regulatory measures are needed to reduce N footprints both for the industrial and agriculture sector in Pakistan. Recognizing the cross-related sectors and interrelated drivers, a holistic approach is required to be adopted for regular assessment of N dynamics.