MONET 2030: Nitrogen load exported

SDG 14: Conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development

SDG description

«The world’s oceans – their temperature, chemistry, currents and life – drive global systems that make the Earth habitable for humankind. […] Careful management of this essential global resource is a key feature of a sustainable future.»

Swiss target 14.1: Nitrogen inputs from air and water will be reduced

Significance of the indicator
The indicator shows the total nitrogen load in the Rhine in Basel, in thousands of tonnes per year. Nutrients such as nitrogen, discharged into watercourses by human and agricultural activities, contribute to the eutrophication of waterways. The effects of these inputs are not only felt locally: nitrogen transported by rivers also contributes to pollution of seas and oceans. In the interests of sustainable development, the exported nitrogen load, i.e. Switzerland’s environmental impact abroad, needs to be reduced.

Help for interpretation
Annual variations are caused by weather conditions and in particular precipitation patterns.

International comparability
This indicator cannot be compared at international level.

Synthesis

This indicator shows the total nitrogen load in the Rhine in Basel, at the measuring station in Weil am Rhein, in thousands of tonnes per year. The data come from the National long-term surveillance of Swiss rivers program (NADUF).

NADUF – National long-term surveillance of Swiss rivers

Swiss target 14.1: Nitrogen inputs from air and water will be reduced.

International target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.