Project NutriTrade has released the Policy Brief No 3 Nutrient Offsets – a potential tool to reconcile growing economy with strict water quality standards
The policy brief examines legal aspects of utilizing nutrient offsets in environmental permitting processes. The Weser-ruling of the European Court of Justice changed the playground for environmental permitting by strengthening the legal status of the Water Framework Directive. If an economic activity increases pollution that poses pressure on critical water quality elements, it cannot be granted an environmental permit. This stance does protect waters from pollution, but making it actually compatible with constantly evolving economic activities calls for innovative regulatory tools such as nutrient offsets.
