The online kickoff meeting for the UNEP-NSFC Joint Research Project “Optimization and adoption decision-making of agricultural management practices for mitigating N2O emissions in upland farming systems in China and Kenya” was held on 18 March, 2022, signifying the official launch of the five-year project. Led by chief investigators Prof. Yong Li of the Institute of Atmospheric Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences (IAP, CAS) and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the project brings together researchers from the Institute of Atmospheric Physics (IAP, CAS), the Institute of Subtropical Agriculture (ISA, CAS), the Institute of Geographic Sciences and Natural Resources Research (IGSNRR, CAS), UNEP, and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI, CGIAR). 

This collaboration is intended to strengthen the existing research network between CAS and UNEP, use global databases of N2O emissions from upland farming systems to systematically study the key impact factors, mitigating tactics, and climate-smart N2O mitigating practices, and develop feasible N2O mitigating solutions as well as adoption decision-making in Africa and China. Key results will contribute to more sustainable N management practices (UNEA Resolution 4/14) and Goal 13 (Climate Action) of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). 

During the meeting, Prof. Yong Li and Mr. Mahesh Pradhan gave brief overviews of the research background and stressed the importance of collaboration among the research teams. A preliminary timetable for the main activities was also discussed.