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We live in a global phosphorus (P) system paradox. P access is becoming increasingly limiting, leading to food insecurity but at the same time an overapplication or abundance of P in many agricultural and urban settings is causing environmental degradation. This has been recognised in the academic literature and at regulatory levels, but swift action and multilevel cooperation of all stakeholders is required to ensure the economically, environmentally and socially responsible use of P. To provide foundations for future cooperation, a conceptual model describing the elements of P need, P availability and P use in different systems and at different scales was developed during the Young Scientists Workshop in P Week 2014 in Montpellier, France. Here we describe our extended conceptual model and a theoretical P balance calculation tool for describing multi-scale P balances and imbalances to impartially advise all stakeholders on more sustainable P use across the world.

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