NutriTrade - Nutrient offsetting for the Baltic Sea

The project developed new innovative policy instruments promoting cost-effective, cross-border and cross-sector nutrient reduction measures in the Baltic Sea basin. The project piloted a platform for nutrient trading, nutrient offsets and joint implementation of nutrient reduction targets in the Baltic Sea area.

In the pilot scheme, several proven nutrient abatement measures were implemented, resulting in phosphorus load reductions of up to 50 t/a. At the same time, the project developed 1) credible nutrient offset verification mechanisms, and 2) assessment mechanisms to find and support innovative but proven and verifiable nutrient reduction methods which have not yet become market-driven or integrated into governmental policies.

The lessons learned in the pilot scheme were used for analysing nutrient trading as a water policy instrument on a national level, and also for the analysis of a Baltic Sea wide inter-governmental nutrient trading. Based on these, NutriTrade produced policy recommendations for the Baltic Sea Region.

Lead: John Nurminen Foundation (FI)
Project period: 2015-2018

Materials:  NutriTrade brochure  Pilot Gypsum brochure Pilot Fish brochure

Policy Briefs: 1. Gypsum Amendment and Large Scale Use 2. Gypsum Amendment and Policy, 3. Nutrient Offsets

The project launched an online platform, Nutribute, where people and organisations can campaign and raise funds for projects to benefit the Baltic Sea and where Baltic Sea stakeholders can donate money to support those projects.

Visit the project at their website.