CT BETA coordinates the European GREENHOOD project to tackle nutrient pollution in Europe
GREENHOOD is a project that aims to apply sustainable technologies in regions affected by nutrient pollution such as Spain, Belgium, the Netherlands, Finland and Norway
This week the launch meeting of the GREENHOOD project was held in Vic. It is a European initiative funded by the HORIZON Europe programme in which 32 European partners participate and has a budget of 9.6 million euros. This project is coordinated by the BETA Technological Centre of the UVic-UCC to address nutrient pollution, particularly nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P), which cause environmental damage and loss of biodiversity. The project aims to address the main causes of nutrient imbalances by applying innovative technologies for their recovery. It also aims to adopt nature-based solutions, good nutrient management practices, regional collaboration and improved governance. This four-year project focuses on reducing nutrient losses and promoting their circular flows by converting waste into biological fertilisers. It also aims to incorporate sustainable practices into regional development through new business and governance models. GREENHOOD’s approach is to ensure practical and lasting solutions for healthier ecosystems and more sustainable communities.
Actions in Europe’s most affected regions
The project aims to demonstrate scalable solutions for sustainable nutrient management in various hotspots. It focuses on four European regions – Spain, the Netherlands-Belgium, Finland and Norway – known for their significant nutrient imbalances (excess or deficit of nutrients). In the Spanish Ebro basin, the focus is on mitigating agricultural runoff that pollutes the water. In the Netherlands-Belgium region, solutions address nutrient runoff (seepage and drainage) and ammonia emissions from livestock farming. In Finland, the Archipelago Sea basin combats nutrient pollution from agriculture and peatland drainage with sustainable practices and recycling. The Norwegian Trondheim Fjord catchment addresses nutrient run-off from expanding agriculture and aquaculture, focusing on innovative remediation methods.
Sustainable innovations
GREENHOOD will apply advanced technologies, nature-based solutions and best practices to address nutrient imbalances. Key innovations include the recovery of these compounds from organic waste such as manure, sewage sludge, aquaculture sludge and others, using different technological approaches. These include anaerobic digestion, membrane processes, microalgae treatment or plasma treatment. In addition, work will also focus on the production of biological and tailor-made fertilisers to produce more market-relevant products, on full-scale nature-based solutions to reduce nutrient pollution, as well as on intelligent control systems and precision fertilisation to optimise nutrient use. These solutions will be designed and validated with local stakeholders to ensure they are practical, sustainable and ready for adoption in various regions.
Project impact
By the end of 2028, the GREENHOOD project will have demonstrated the efficiency and feasibility of several tailor-made solutions, adapted to the needs of each region, to reduce nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) pollution and improve nutrient management. These solutions will bring benefits to farmers, various industries, policy makers and the scientific community. At the regional level, farmers will be provided with tools and best practices for sustainable nutrient management and industries will be provided with new technologies for nutrient recovery. Policy makers will receive guidance to implement new regional plans, which consider nutrient management as a key aspect for the environmental improvement and sustainability of the region. At the European level, the GREENHOOD project is also expected to provide scientific evidence to achieve some of the objectives set by the European Commission. For example, reducing nutrient losses by 50% or reducing fertiliser use by 20%. The project will work on the elaboration of position papers to provide information that will be useful for the elaboration of new European strategies and regulations.
GREENHOOD will transform nutrient management in Europe through sustainable practices, policy influence and knowledge exchange, promoting a transition to a more sustainable and ecologically safe Europe.
