BIOWATER has covered a wide range of topics related to the effects on water resources of a bioeconomy. We have now gathered our main advice to policy makers and managers in a fact sheet. We believe that there is an urgent need to prepare for the  combined effects of climate change and the land use changes following an increased need for biomass. This should include high priority to implement environmental mitigation measures and nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient runoff to Nordic waters, and to ensure that the economical and regulative incentive mechanisms are in place.

A bioeconomy with increased biomass utilisation, combined with climate change, can represent a threat to our water resources, with increased nutrient levels and harmful algae blooms as a result. However, a bioeconomy can be introduced in many different ways. We find that the Water Framework Directives’ target of good ecological status can be achieved if we ensure sustainable land use combined with maximum implementation of environmental mitigation measures and nature-based solutions. We also find that this sustainable pathway can be economically viable. Hence, policy makers may not need to choose between the environment and economic welfare.

Our modelling results also showed that, until 2050, the effect of land use and land management will be more important for water quality than the effect of climate change. This means that we can successfully reduce nutrient losses to water bodies through local actions, but a better uptake and implementation of envrionmental measures is needed across the Nordic countries. In addition, improved data on the effect of forestry activities on water quality is needed.

Feature photo: Eva Skarbøvik, NIBIO