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Global Governance of Phosphorus: Why So Misunderstood and the Mammoth Policy Gap?

Explore the misunderstood world of phosphorus governance, its value chain components, sustainable solutions, and geopolitical impact. Learn about mineral governance, transparency initiatives, and barriers to change in resource management. Discover the progress on phosphorus governance since 2010 and the road ahead for global phosphorus security.

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Global Governance of Phosphorus: Why So Misunderstood and the Mammoth Policy Gap?

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  1. Global Governance of Phosphorus: Why So Misunderstood and the Mammoth Policy Gap? Arno Rosemarin PhD Nelson Ekane PhD (cand) Stockholm Environment Institute Sustainable Phosphorus Summit Montpellier Sept 2, 2014

  2. Phosphorus: extremes that can confuse • pollutant causing algal blooms that can kill fish • a component of explosives and pesticides • a food additive causing problems for kidney patients • an essential element for all life to exist – bones and teeth and all living cells, tissue and organs • a key fertilizer to grow food and animal feed

  3. Little progress on P governance • Common perception: Food & fertilizer have no limits • EU’s mammoth agro-subsidy (1 billion Euros/wk) creates false security – now fragile • No government will lead the dialogue – increases in food prices a political nightmare • Industry has taken a very low profile • UN is not pro-active • No geopolitical crisis yet like 1972 oil • Duncan Brown’s empty gas tank analogy still prevails

  4. Overview of the talk • What are the components of the P value chain requiring governance? • How do we govern other minerals? • Where are we today on phosphorus governance? • Plotting a track ahead

  5. P value chain – multiple components to govern • Rock phosphorus (apatite) • Sulfuric acid - 5 parts H2SO4 give 3 parts H3PO4 in the wet extraction process • Phosphorus products (MAP, DAP, SP, etc) • Agro and food system - soil, food and animal feed • Manure, excreta, solid waste

  6. Sulphuric acid production Few countries have both P and S, requiring equity agreements

  7. Soil P retention potential ISRIC, 2011 Soils vary and governance needs to be adapted

  8. Phosphorus sustainability to be governed • Reduce • Improved efficiency in mining and extraction • Improved fertilizer use and technology • Less consumption of meat and dairy products • Recycle • Improved recycling of food production wastes, sludge, manure, struvite, polonite, etc. • Economic instruments and flexible fees • Large users pay more tax fees than smaller users

  9. How do we manage other minerals?

  10. Towards more sustainable governance of extracted materials • EU Raw Materials Initiative • UNEP International Resource Panel (3Rs) • Intergovernmental Forum on Mining, Minerals, Metals, and Sustainable Development (IGF) • EU-US-Japan - developing substitutes, recycling & raw material and product efficiency • IEA global energy cooperation

  11. Existing models to increase data transparency and collaboration • Joint Organizations Data Initiative (JODI) of the IEF, contribution to transparency on the oil & gas markets • Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative (EITI) • OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains of Minerals from Conflict-Affected and High-Risk Areas • World Gold Council

  12. UN independent study groups • create market transparency by providing data on production, consumption, trade, and prices & national policies eg environmental legislation • Lead and Zinc (ILZSG) • Copper (ICSG) • Nickel (INSG)

  13. Barriers to change • speculation & raw material cartels • national stockpiling • state companies • trade tariffs & quotas • lack of transparency • revenue streams • due diligence in supply chains

  14. Where are we today on phosphorus governance?

  15. Data governance of P rock extraction still lacking • P Rock Reserves/Resources (USGS) • No UN agency involved • Open to influence (IFDC 2010 report) • Fertilizer production and consumption (FAOstat) • Commercial sources of data (IFA, CRU, etc.)

  16. Prior to 2010 • USGS P-rock data showed peak P possible in 30-40 years • IFDC 2010 report squelched peak phosphorus debate and Morocco “gets” global monopoly status • USGS changed its way of estimating commercial P reserves; resources can be commercial reserves • UNEP showed interest in the peak phosphorus debate but backed off

  17. What happened since 2010 • IFDC report heavily criticized by Dutch researchers in 2013 • EU Sustainable Phosphorus Platform launched • Interest in recycling P has intensified • P on the EU Critical Raw Materials List • Moroccan OCP expanding rapidly now in order to meet future global demand

  18. Geopolitics causing price hikes in phosphorus • Oil price increases due to conflicts (1973/2008) • China export embargo • P cartels • Northern Africa • Morocco-Algeria conflicts • Arab Awakening • Preferential free trade agreements with Morocco – eg US, India, EU P-Rock since 1960, World Bank

  19. Terrorism in N Africa and the Sahel

  20. The track ahead • White paper on phosphorus • Building on the GPRI Blueprint for Global Phosphorus Security • Global conference and Global convention • Transparency on data regarding P-rock extraction and trade • Independent monitoring agency • National reporting systems on use and reuse • Best practices optimizing reuse • Economic instruments promoting reuse & taxing waste • Linkage to global food security strategies • Communications programme

  21. Stockholm Environment Institute www.sei-international.org

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