Spatially explicit bio-economic modelling for the Baltic Sea: Do the benefits of nutrient abatement outweigh the costs?

Kari Hyytiainen, Lassi Ahlvik, Heini Ahtiainen, Janne Artell, Kim Dahlbo and Anni Huhtala

No 160728, Discussion Papers from MTT Agrifood Research Finland

Abstract: This paper develops and applies a spatially explicit bioeconomic model to study trans-boundary nutrient pollution of the Baltic Sea. We combine catchment, marine and economic models covering the entire Baltic Sea region to weigh the costs of nutrient abatement and the benefits of improved water quality and solve for the socially optimal level of water protection. The overall benefits of the Baltic Sea Action Plan, the present convention on nutrient abatement, clearly outweigh the costs. Nevertheless, the total cost could be almost halved if the mix of measures and the regional targets were planned in a spatially cost-effective manner and if the consequent reductions of nitrogen and phosphorus, the two nutrients causing eutrophication, were better balanced. Policy optimizations, however, suggest that the socially optimal level of nutrient abatement is somewhat lower than the more ambitious level envisaged by the convention. The welfare gains from cost sharing that makes the socially optimal level of nutrient abatement worthwhile for all littoral countries would be 100 million euros annually.

Keywords: Environmental; Economics; and; Policy (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Pages: 35
Date: 2013-11
New Economics Papers: this item is included in nep-cwa and nep-env
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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:ags:mttfdp:160728

DOI: 10.22004/ag.econ.160728

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