A social contract. What is it? Many agree it simply means that, to live together as a civilized society, we must, as individuals and companies, not only ensure our own well-being but ensure it for all. Okay, but how does it work?

In the words of Anthony Will, CEO of CF Industries: “As the world’s leading nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer, we share a common goal with farmers to help feed the world and to do so sustainably.” Sustainably. That’s the social contract part. CF Industries recognizes that they are not just in the business of making and selling fertilizer, but to do so without detriment to others, to our environment, or to our climate.

Nitrous oxide, a greenhouse gas 300 times more potent than CO2, is emitted in the manufacture of  fertilizer. CF Industries, with your generous support, recognized its responsibility and voluntarily installed technology at its Mississippi plant to reduce NO2 emissions by over 200,000 tonnes annually. From CF Industries, “We just know it’s the right thing to do.”

Now utilizing carbon credits, CF Industries is extending the success of this project through the 4R Plus Program to assist farmers in sustainable fertilizer use, because fertilizer, which is absolutely vital to grow food for the world’s population, can also produce NO2 emissions when applied in the field. With 2.1 million farms in the U.S. and countless millions of farms worldwide, the potential of this program to protect our environment and our climate is immense. When we all join together, we can achieve anything. That’s the social contract.

Because you took action to ensure the well-being of our climate and our future, all of us, including CF Industries and millions of farmers around the world, say, “Thank you! Thank you for your support!”