Global reserves of phosphorus are running out and, since plants need phosphate to grow, this poses an enormous challenge for global food production in the foreseeable future. A shortage of phosphate could ultimately result in large-scale famine and social-political turmoil. Surprisingly, phosphorus depletion did not seem to be on the political agenda some time ago. In order to increase awareness of these problems, the Netherlands Water Partnership, WASTE and Plant Research International initiated a one year DPRN process to place the issue on the Dutch and European political agendas.

PRI researchers wrote a report that addresses global phosphorus resources and trends. This report provided the scientific basis for the other process activities [link: activities]. The authors estimate that, considering the expected increase in food and energy consumption of the growing world population, today’s economically exploitable phosphorus resources will be depleted within 75 years.

According to a report by Plant Research International, there are several ways in which phosphorus can be used more sustainably in the Netherlands.

As long as there is no substitute for phosphorus, solutions to the problem of phosphorus scarcity include improving the efficiency of nutrient management in agriculture, and the recovery of nutrients from waste (water) or manure/human excretions. This means that phosphorus shortage creates opportunities related to the increasing demand for technological innovation in (waste) water technology and recycle industries. Moreover the recovery and trade of nutrients will turn sanitation into a financial sustainable business. See also: www.phosphaterecovery.com.

The process was successful in generating new alliances and plans for new activities related to phosphorous depletion.