Nenuphar project meets in Brussels to address the challenge of governance in nutrient management

Nenuphar project took place in Brussels on May 20 and 21, with the prominent participation of the BETA Technological Centre from UVic-UCC. The meeting aimed to exchange ideas and knowledge and promote debate and participation on the urgent need to address nutrient pollution in Europe.

The event included a presentation of several European projects addressing environmental and agricultural challenges through innovative and sustainable approaches, including GreenHood, led by the centre itself. A speed-dating event was also held. which fostered connections between representatives of various projects and a governance workshop. This workshop addressed two key questions: what is governance and what challenges exist in communicating it. Views were presented ranging from an initial perspective to more expert approaches, including co-creation processes, democratic participation, and the consideration of diverse stakeholders.

Challenges were identified, such as a lack of clarity in roles, the complexity of messaging, and the need for governance models to be inclusive and replicable. Participants emphasized the importance of defining clear objectives, establishing concrete incentives, promoting strong stakeholder engagement, and targeting decision-makers.

Pictures are worth a thousand words

The film screening The Green Algae was also held. A film directed by Pierre Jolivet, based on the investigation by journalist Inès Léraud on the deadly spread of toxic green algae off the coast of Brittany. The film exposes the environmental and human costs of industrial agriculture, as well as the powerful lobbies that try to silence it. With European institutions preparing their water resilience strategy, the film offers a timely warning about a crisis spreading across the continent.

A session was also held in the European Parliament with interventions by MEP David Cormand, and other experts from the European Commission, and a panel of experts from the scientific community, the drinking water sector, and civil society. They highlighted the impact of nutrient pollution and intensive agriculture on European water bodies and human health.

What is the way forward?

For example, the Danish Green Tripartite Agreement is a pioneering agreement between the government, the agricultural sector, and environmental organizations to reduce agricultural emissions and restore nature. It includes the world’s first tax on livestock emissions, the conversion of agricultural land to natural areas, and major investments in reforestation. The goal is to reduce 1.8 million tons of CO₂ by 2030 and move towards more sustainable agriculture. This is a real-life example demonstrating that adapting agricultural practices and fostering open dialogue between stakeholders is possible, as is reducing nitrogen loads and combating pollution to restore ecological balance.

Therefore, to establish effective changes at the European level, initiatives like this one must be integrated into European policies through clear commitments, adequate funding, and transparent monitoring mechanisms that ensure their impact and ongoing adaptation. Within the framework of the Nenuphar project, a governance structure is being consolidated that involves all stakeholders taking part in nutrient management in the Ebro Basin.

Events like these represent a further step toward making the necessary policy changes and establishing concrete actions to restore the health of European aquatic ecosystems and ensure the future of the communities that depend on them. These meeting spaces facilitate the building of alliances between diverse stakeholders, foster shared innovation, and contribute to generating consensus around effective and replicable solutions across Europe.