- The global food system is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and fertilisers are part of the problem.
- Morocco and India are among the countries currently producing green fertilisers.
The global food system is under pressure to reduce its carbon footprint, and fertilisers are part of the problem.
Traditional fertilisers, especially those made from fossil fuel-based ammonia, contribute to around 1–2 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions.
Morocco is one of the countries that is starting to respond. According to a GH2 report, Morocco has launched several projects focused on producing fertilisers using green hydrogen, a cleaner alternative. The aim is to shift away from the current methods that rely on fossil fuels.
One example is the OCP Group, which has started building infrastructure for this transition. Their projects include green hydrogen and ammonia production in Laayoune and Guelmim, as well as a large project in Tarfaya that combines solar and wind energy with water desalination.
In Tarfaya, production of green ammonia is expected to start in 2026 at 200,000 tons, with plans to reach one million tons the following year and three million by 2032.
Globally, however, green ammonia production remains limited, less than 0.3 per cent of total production in 2024. Right now, only four sites in the world produce it, with four more planned.
The move to clean fertilisers faces several hurdles. Reports point to the high cost, need for clear market rules, and the lack of financing guarantees. There’s also concern that current pilot projects are insufficient to meet the growing demand.
Access to food is linked to four stages: gas supply, ammonia production, fertiliser manufacturing, and crop farming. Each step affects emissions.
That’s why some organisations are pushing for cleaner production near renewable energy sources, upgrades to existing ammonia plants, and better-defined market structures.
Morocco and India are among the countries currently producing green fertilisers. Countries like South Africa and Kenya also show potential.