Share Article
Urenco-backed research into climate-smart farming to benefit 13 countries
07 April 2026 GlobalUrenco’s social impact programme has funded a Coordinated Research Project (CRP) over five years, aimed at developing agricultural practices to mitigate the effects of greenhouse gases and support nations to adapt to climate change.
Some early, positive results are expected to be shared with 13 member countries of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), which experience some of the hottest weather patterns in the world.
The project included funding two PhD students to carry out field experiments aimed at mitigating greenhouse gas emissions from agricultural soils. Their research assessed how different organic carbon materials, including biochar and plant litter, influence the release of nitrous oxide, a potent greenhouse gas, from soil.
The CRP, implemented by IAEA through the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, has demonstrated how a conservation farming practice called strip tillage* can reduce nitrogen input** requirements by 50% whilst maintaining crop yields. It also indicated that the use of the biochar reduced Ammonia (NH3) volatilisation by 37%.
The findings provide valuable insights on improving the efficiency of nitrogen fertiliser use in support of climate-smart agriculture, and the adoption of data-informed soil management strategies.
Head of Sustainability at Urenco, Rob Little, said:
“Urenco is very pleased to be able to support this valuable research into potential new farming techniques that will reduce the release of harmful greenhouse gases. This aligns with Urenco’s vision of a sustainable net zero world.”
IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Nuclear Sciences and Applications, Najat Mokhtar, said:
“The early results of this URENCO-supported CRP are highly promising. Dissemination of this research through high-profile academic and policy-oriented platforms aims to support the adoption of evidence-based strategies for the effective management of soil and crop nutrients.”
* Strip tillage refers to an agricultural which involves digging narrow strips of earth for planting crops, leaving the areas between the rows untouched to promote soil health.
**Nitrogen input refers to the total amount of nitrogen added to a farming system, through fertilisers or organic matter, to enhance higher crop growth and yield.
Share Article
About Urenco
Urenco is an international supplier of uranium enrichment services, fuel cycle products and related solutions with sustainability at the core of our business. Operating in a pivotal area of the nuclear fuel supply chain for over 50 years, Urenco understands the importance of energy security and facilitates the reliable delivery of low carbon electricity generation for consumers around the world.
With its head office in London, UK, Urenco’s global presence ensures diversity and security of supply for customers through enrichment facilities in Germany, the Netherlands, the UK and the USA. Through our technology and the expertise of our people, the Urenco Group provides safe, cost effective and reliable services, operating within a framework of high environmental, social and governance standards, complementing international safeguards.
Urenco is making a positive contribution to global climate change goals through our core business and we are committed to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2040.
We are committed to continued investment in the responsible management of nuclear materials; innovation activities with clear sustainability benefits, such as nuclear medicine, industrial efficiency and research; and nurturing the next generation of scientists and engineers.
Media enquiries