Implementation of agricultural nutrient mitigation policies and nature-based solutions in Baltic and North Sea countries

Nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) emissions from agricultural lands contribute to eutrophication and the degradation of surface waters. This paper studies the implementation of European agri-environmental policies to regulate these emissions in the North European coastal waters by promoting changes in agricultural practices through nutrient mitigation measures and nature-based solutions (NbS). By analyzing policy documents and results from co-creation, it compares the implementation of agricultural nutrient mitigation policies in four Baltic Sea countries—Denmark, Sweden, Finland, and Poland—as well as Norway, which borders the Atlantic and the North Sea. The findings suggest that water quality should be set as a priority in national implementation. Integrating NbS, ensuring stability and aligning agricultural practices with environmental goals would reduce the risk of eutrophication in marine ecosystems.