Can the wicked problem of eutrophication be solved?
BSR Policy Briefing 7/2023 focused on reviewing the academic research carried out on the Baltic Sea region’s environmental problems. BSR Policy Briefing 8/2023 continues the theme by highlighting next steps and measures needed in tackling eutrophication in coastal waters, especially in Finland and its agriculture sector.
Eutrophication: impossible to solve?
Baltic Sea eutrophication is a wicked problem: it is urgent, complex, multifaceted, and interdependent and it seems almost impossible to solve. Each country and region have their own local natural conditions and measuring and reporting methods differ from country to country. The problem has its cultural and social dimensions that are entangled with history and politics.
It is an established fact that agriculture is a major source of nutrient enrichment and eutrophication of inland surface waters, as well as the coastal and open sea areas of the Baltic Sea. Regarding the case of Finnish coastal eutrophication, the Archipelago Sea area stands out both nationally and internationally. The region is the only one left in Finland that is still on the so called HELCOM Hot Spot list of significant pollution sites around the Baltic Sea. Many projects and efforts have been focused on this geographical area, particularly in recent years.
Project findings show the knowledge gaps
The latest BSR Policy Briefing report studies ministerial and government institutional reporting focusing on environmental and agriculture related projects during the past 10 years. The study aimed at identifying the key knowledge gaps that would indicate next steps and trends for the agriculture related eutrophication challenges in Finland. To see the trend in the international level, a search for agriculture and eutrophication related projects in Finnish waters within the EU Interreg and BONUS programs was also conducted. A total of 30 national and 25 international projects was included in the compilation, with the themes varying from understanding of processes to evaluations of practical solutions.
Improved data and cross-sectoral cooperation could be the solution
The report identified two key knowledge gaps for transitioning towards more sustainable agri-environmental practices and an improved marine governance:
1) Need for improved data, especially agricultural-related data such as soil nutrient values and agricultural methods applied, this also includes coordination of data availability.
One key aspect that has been increasingly reported is the lack of agricultural and land use information for water and marine management. Some of this type of information is used, but much is not reported or measured, let alone accessible. If the data is not systematically collected or transferred to the authorities, it is scarcely used by the authorities or not even available to other interested parties such as researchers.
2) Need for more effective collaboration and integration across sectors for improving a common knowledge base for a broader set of relevant actors than today.
Different projects, their efforts and often policy suggestions still do not cross the sectorial boarders, although a large number of partners are included. The sectorial “language” barriers, i.e. different cultures, terminologies, data needs etc. make the task even more challenging. Specifically when it comes to the Finnish case and for recommendations that require cross-sectorial, -disciplinary and diverse expert collaboration.
