A system for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) in a lean gas stream comprising nitric oxide (NO), the system comprising an adsorbent for adsorbing NO per se from the lean gas stream at below 200° C., means for contacting the NO adsorbent with a lean gas stream at 200° C. and above thereby to desorb NO from the NO adsorbent and means for reducing NO desorbed from the NO adsorbent comprising a NO reduction catalyst and a source of reductant selected from the group consisting of a hydrocarbon reductant, a nitrogenous reductant, hydrogen and mixtures of any two or more thereof, wherein the NO adsorbent comprises palladium and a cerium oxide.