Pollution by excess nitrogen can lead to algae-choked waterways, carcinogenic drinking water, smog and acid rain. In 2014, Brown University became one of the first institutions of higher education to join the newly founded Nitrogen Footprint Network, which aims to shine a light on the problem of excess nitrogen emissions.
As part of the network, Brown has successfully completed two calculations of its University-wide nitrogen footprint. The calculations have shown that a significant portion of the University's nitrogen footprint is attributed to food production and transportation, underscoring the need for the University to provide more locally sourced, plant-based meals. A key commitment in Brown's Sustainability Strategic Plan is to reduce its nitrogen and phosphorus footprint by 15% by 2025 and 25% by 2030.