SODA CLASS 005 - Nutrient Integrity
Stop excess nitrogen and phosphorus at the source. Real outcomes, proven first, claimed once, and easy to verify.
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.)
Targeted impact: Cut eutrophication drivers where they start - on farms, in food systems and at treatment plants- so rivers, reefs and lakes can recover.
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.
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.
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.