SODA CLASS 005 - Nutrient Integrity

Nutrient Integrity

SODA-005 recognises one-year reductions in reactive nitrogen (N) and bioavailable phosphorus (P) pressures at source, expressed as nutrient-tonne-years (nty). Sub-classes: 005N Reactive Nitrogen and 005P Bioavailable Phosphorus. (Receiving-water pollutant removals are credited under Class 003WQ.)

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Targeted impact: Cut eutrophication drivers where they start - on farms, in food systems and at treatment plants- so rivers, reefs and lakes can recover.

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Why the SODA Standard matters here?

• Clear boundary with water quality credits: Source-level controls sit here; in-stream removals sit in Class 003WQ - no overlap.

• Ex-post, verified: Evidence and independent checks come first, then issuance.

Sub-classes:

005N — Reactive Nitrogen

• Outline: Verified one-year reduction in reactive-N losses (e.g., ammonia volatilisation, nitrate leaching) relative to a transparent baseline.

• Where it applies: Fertiliser optimisation, nitrification inhibitors, manure management upgrades.

• Worked example: A farming enterprise documents 10 t N/year less loss to the environment after practice change; issuance: 10 nty (post-verification).

005P — Bioavailable Phosphorus

• Outline: Verified one-year reduction in P losses (e.g., erosion control, P recovery from wastes).

• Where it applies: Riparian buffers, gully stabilisation, wastewater P-recovery.

• Worked example: A municipal facility recovers 2 t P/year for reuse; the net verified reduction mints 2 nty.

Claims guardrails: Be precise about N or P, the location, and the annualised result. Register the claim so stakeholders can trace it to unit IDs and the LRPDS.