Strengthening the policy framework to resolve lax implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan for agriculture

Brady, Mark; Andersen, Mikael Skou; Andersson, Anna; Ķīlis, Emīls; Saarela, Sanna-Riikka; Thorsøe, Martin Hvarregaard

doi:10.1007/s13280-021-01573-3

Cited by 13 publications

(5 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…This implies that a wide range of enabling conditions must be provided to ensure a transition to sustainable soil management. Therefore, ensuring that supporting policies, technological development, sociocultural perceptions, economic and market incentives are all aligned with the creation of research infrastructures and with new knowledge production and application is important (Brady et al, 2022; Markard et al, 2020).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe

Thorsøe,

Keesstra,

De Boever

et al. 2023

European J Soil Science

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Soils are the foundation of agricultural production, ecosystem functioning and human well‐being. Bridging soil knowledge gaps and improving the knowledge system is crucial to meet the growing EU soil policy ambitions in the face of climate change and the ongoing trend in soil degradation. The objective of this article is to assess the current state of knowledge, knowledge use and knowledge gaps concerning sustainable soil management in Europe. This study is based on interviews with 791 stakeholders and 254 researchers and on a comprehensive review of >1800 documents carried out under the European Joint Programme on agricultural soils. Despite differences in stakeholder groups, the conclusions are rather consistent and complementary. We identified major knowledge gaps with respect to (1) soil carbon stocks, (2) soil degradation and fertility and (3) strategies for improved soil management. Transcending these three areas, particularly the loss of soil organic carbon, peatland degradation and soil compaction, are most critical, thus, we stress the urgency of developing more models and monitoring programmes on soils. Stakeholders further report that insufficient transfer of existing soil research findings to practitioners is a hindrance to the adoption of sustainable soil management practices. In addition to knowledge production, soil knowledge gaps may be addressed by considering seven recommendations from the stakeholders: (1) raising awareness, (2) strengthening knowledge brokers, (3) improving relevance of research activities and resource allocation for land users, (4) peer‐to‐peer communication, (5) targeting advice and information, (6) improving knowledge access, and (7) providing incentives. We argue that filling and bridging knowledge gaps should be a priority for policymakers and the insights provided in the article may help prioritise research and dissemination needs enabling a transition to more sustainable soil management in Europe.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe

Thorsøe,

Keesstra,

De Boever

et al. 2023

European J Soil Science

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“…An appropriate response to such risks is no doubt to build stronger international institutions to oversee and guard the agreements made. With the EU as a signatory to the Helsinki Convention there seems to be a missed opportunity to gain legal traction for the agricultural measures agreed, with the river basin management plans that are compulsory for member states under the EU Water Framework Directive (see Brady et al 2021 ). Looking beyond the EU, to obtain compliance from Russia will be no small challenge either, and is likely to become a crucial issue in the context of other important international environmental agreements.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Promise and performance of agricultural nutrient management policy: Lessons from the Baltic Sea

Thorsøe

Andersen

Brady

et al. 2021

Ambio

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Following decades of international collaboration to restore the Baltic Sea, we provide an assessment of the domestic implementation of measures agreed to limit diffuse agricultural pollution and the patterns of policy instruments applied. Despite the Helsinki Convention being unusually specific in detailing what measures countries should introduce, we find many shortcomings. These are most pronounced in the larger countries (Poland, Germany and Russia), while smaller countries perform better, notably Sweden and Estonia. The patterns of policy instruments applied differ, influenced by domestic politics. The limited use of complementary policy instruments suggests that other priorities overrule full and effective implementation, with engagement mirroring the advantages that a restored Baltic Sea can bring to countries. Using the European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development to support farmers in managing nutrients, particularly advisory services and investments in modern manure management technologies, represents a significant opportunity for reducing agricultural pollution in most countries.

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“…Thus, a mechanism for winners compensating losers needs to be established to improve the political feasibility of achieving HELCOM goals (cf. Brady et al 2021).…”

Section: Concluding Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

How unnecessarily high abatement costs and unresolved distributional issues undermine nutrient reductions to the Baltic Sea

Andersson

Brady

Pohjola

2021

Ambio

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This paper systematically reviews the literature on how to reduce nutrient emissions to the Baltic Sea cost-effectively and considerations for allocating these costs fairly among countries. The literature shows conclusively that the reduction targets of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) could be achieved at considerably lower cost, if countries would cooperate to implement the least costly abatement plan. Focusing on phosphorus abatement could be prudent as the often recommended measures—wastewater treatment and wetlands—abate nitrogen too. An implication of our review is that the potential for restoring the Baltic Sea to good health is undermined by an abatement strategy that is more costly than necessary and likely to be perceived as unfair by several countries. Neither the BSAP nor the cost-effective solution meet the surveyed criteria for fairness, implying a need for side-payments.

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Strengthening the policy framework to resolve lax implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan for agriculture

Cited by 13 publications

References 42 publications

Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe

Sustainable soil management: Soil knowledge use and gaps in Europe

Promise and performance of agricultural nutrient management policy: Lessons from the Baltic Sea

How unnecessarily high abatement costs and unresolved distributional issues undermine nutrient reductions to the Baltic Sea

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