The S2S Challenge
Eutrophication and its Impact on Ecosystems
Eutrophication, which refers to the over-enrichment of water from land-based pollutant flows of nitrogen and phosphorus, has severe consequences for ecosystems and the services they provide. In the Baltic Sea, this issue can lead to toxic algal blooms and oxygen depletion, significantly affecting biodiversity, tourism, and fisheries. Sweden, as one of the Baltic countries, has been actively working to reduce the flows of these nutrients into water bodies. The country set a target of reducing phosphorus flows by 535 tonnes between 2007 and 2021. However, it fell short of this goal, managing to reduce phosphorus pollution by only 100 tonnes. One significant contributor to phosphorus pollution in Sweden is horse keeping, which is regulated differently than other livestock, leading to policy gaps, particularly in horse manure management. It is estimated that horse manure in Sweden releases approximately 85 tonnes of phosphorus per year into water bodies, resulting in the eutrophication of freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
Addressing the S2S Challenge
Research has shown that up to 70% of phosphorus pollution from horse pastures and paddocks in Sweden can be reduced through simple changes in manure management, such as more frequent mucking, especially before rainfall or snowfall. Building on this knowledge, the Race for the Baltic project identified an opportunity to support the reduction of phosphorus flows into the Baltic Sea.
In collaboration with key stakeholders, the project developed a shared vision and identified the necessary actions to achieve pollution reduction. This involved conducting interviews, roundtables, and workshops to gather and share knowledge. The key actors involved included the Federation of Swedish Farmers (HNS), the Swedish Horse Industry Foundation (LRF Häst), the Swedish Board of Agriculture, various Water Authorities, County Administrative Boards, and the Axfoundation. The outcome of this process was the communications campaign “Varje skit räknas” or “Every shit counts”.
The “Every Shit Counts” Campaign
The aim of the campaign was to raise awareness among horse owners across Sweden about the link between horse manure and the eutrophication of aquatic ecosystems. The campaign encouraged horse owners to engage in more frequent mucking of pastures and paddocks. To achieve this, the project ran two campaigns over a span of two years, utilizing various methods such as social media campaigns, advertisements in popular media channels dedicated to horse ownership (e.g., magazines), and distributing posters to more than 8800 recipients, including horseback riding schools.
Surveys were conducted following the communications campaigns to measure the adoption of the mucking recommendations. The responses received indicated a significant increase in mucking practices, with horse owners reporting motivation stemming from their understanding that their actions contributed to healthier aquatic ecosystems.
Barriers Encountered and Solutions
The main challenge faced by the project was the lack of knowledge among horse owners regarding the contributions of horse manure to nutrient pollution. To address this knowledge gap and influence behavior change, the project supported studies on the impacts of horse manure on aquatic ecosystems. These studies were followed by consultations with key stakeholders from the private and public sectors to validate the findings and determine the best approach to reach horse owners. The result was the implementation of campaigns on different platforms with a countrywide reach.
Additionally, the project faced tension and concerns among horse owners due to a government report on eutrophication that highlighted the role of horse manure. There were worries that this project would lead to increased regulations. To address these concerns, the project collaborated with stakeholders who were well-known and trusted within the horse owner community.
Main Lessons Learned
The Race for the Baltic project serves as an excellent example of implementing impactful actions with limited time and resources. Through targeted information campaigns that raised awareness and shared practical recommendations, the project successfully influenced behavioral change among horse owners across Sweden.
While the project did not aim to establish regulations on horse manure management, it created a more favorable environment for future policy implementation. By engaging key stakeholders from the public entities, private sector, and civil society organizations, and by generating and sharing knowledge with horse owners, the project has paved the way for the inclusion of horse manure in the Baltic Sea Action Plan. The Baltic Sea Action Plan, developed by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM), aims to protect the Baltic Sea from all sources of pollution.
References:
- Paddocks are areas where horses can move freely in their natural gaits, but which lack satisfactory forage-producing vegetation, they are often fully or partially sealed. (source)
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
1. SDGs Addressed or Connected to the Issues Highlighted in the Article
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
The article discusses the issue of eutrophication caused by the over-enrichment of water with nitrogen and phosphorus pollutants. This issue has severe consequences for ecosystems and the services they provide, including biodiversity, tourism, and fisheries. The article specifically mentions the Baltic Sea as an example where eutrophication leads to toxic algal blooms and oxygen depletion. Therefore, SDG 14 (Life Below Water) is directly connected to the issue of eutrophication in the Baltic Sea. Additionally, eutrophication also affects freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which are part of SDG 6 (Clean Water and Sanitation) and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
2. Specific Targets Under Those SDGs Based on the Article’s Content
- SDG 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials.
- SDG 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- SDG 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services.
The article highlights the target of reducing phosphorus flows into water bodies. Sweden set a target of reducing phosphorus flows by 535 tonnes in the period 2007-2021, but only managed to reduce phosphorus pollution by 100 tonnes. Therefore, the target under SDG 6.3 (improving water quality by reducing pollution) is relevant to the article’s content. Additionally, the article emphasizes the need to reduce phosphorus flows into the Baltic Sea, which aligns with the target under SDG 14.1 (reducing marine pollution from land-based activities). Furthermore, the article mentions the eutrophication of freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems, which relates to the target under SDG 15.1 (conservation and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems).
3. Indicators Mentioned or Implied in the Article
- Phosphorus flows reduction
- Increase in mucking frequency
- Adoption of mucking recommendations
The article mentions the target of reducing phosphorus flows by a certain amount, indicating that phosphorus flows reduction can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards the target. Additionally, the article states that more frequent mucking can significantly reduce phosphorus pollution from horse pastures and paddocks. Therefore, an increase in mucking frequency can be used as an indicator to measure progress towards reducing phosphorus flows. The article also mentions that surveys were conducted to measure the adoption of mucking recommendations, indicating that the adoption of these recommendations can be used as an indicator to assess behavior change and progress towards reducing phosphorus pollution.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | 6.3: By 2030, improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials. | – Phosphorus flows reduction – Increase in mucking frequency – Adoption of mucking recommendations |
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | – Phosphorus flows reduction |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | 15.1: By 2020, ensure the conservation, restoration, and sustainable use of terrestrial and inland freshwater ecosystems and their services. | – Phosphorus flows reduction |
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Source: siwi.org
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