Elements of Stage 2

The objective of the second stage is to specify which solutions are going to be implemented, developing an incentive structure, and establish each macro-regions specific role in reducing the nutrient load in the Danube River Basin.

The desired nutrient level, as defined by the ICPDR, would be the "healthy" levels from roughly 60 years ago.  These levels in 1960 were around 400 kt/a of N.  These levels can be seen in the two graphs below to be 400 kt/a (kilaton per year) of nitrogen and 40 kt/a of phosphorus. Today the levels are 1.8 times higher than in 1955 and need to be restored to those levels. 
 

Solutions to be implemented: 

The upper basin's agriculture industry depends on the use of fertilizers that are rich in nitrogen and phosphorous.  These fertilizers are entering the river through runoff and erosion causing excess nutrients to build up downstream. In order to manage the nutrient emissions and return nutrient levels to that of the 1960's both source management and transport management must be considered. Source management is a remediation technique in which nutrients are attempted to be controlled at the source by using techniques such as lower nutrient fertilizers, sustainable application of fertilizers, and agricultural practices that reduce runoff such as drip irrigation. Transport management is a remediation technique that attempts to stop the movement of nutrients by buffer strips, riparian zones, farming tillage and crop residue management. In order to have the greatest impact this solution proposes that the upper basin make use of source management techniques such as crop rotations and making use of different fertilizers while the lower basin make use of transport management techniques such as constructing riparian buffers and making use of more permeable surfaces.

Incentive Structure:

It is necessary for an incentive structure to be created and implemented.  However, because a majority of the lower basin countries lack funds for large direct incentives or grants, and the upper basin countries are stubborn because they are not directly affected by the water quality and are convinced they should help.  With that being said, less expensive incentives are proposed, such as tax breaks and subsidies on agriculture products such as alternative fertilizers and other equipment that could be used to better current farming practices.  Tax breaks could also be applied to large-scale farmers or industries who are below the allotted nutrient load for their area.  Subsidies in the early stages of the solution would allow for farmers to eventually produce higher crop yields, and subsidies could be reduced or eliminated. 

A cap-and-trade program is suggested to be implemented.  In order to prevent the upper river countries from buying all of the shares back from the lower basin countries and being right back where they started, the cap-and-trade program would be split up by macro-region or a maximum limit would be placed per country.  Specific details would have to be decided by the countries themselves, as long as they are aware of the negative effects that are associated with a failed system.  It would also take time and expertise to decided the proper amount of shares to allot, in order to keep it reasonable and have the price per share to be at an appropriate level. 

Lastly, NGOs would be asked to help with any upfront costs and assistance with setting up the incentive programs in each country.  Loan could be taken from the World Bank, which don't have to be paid back for up to 40 years.  Hopefully, better water quality will allow for better crop yields and economic markets, so paying back loans is a reasonable task, even in the lower basin countries. 

Role of Macro-regions:

Based off the example of the Tisza Macro-region discussed before, we suggest that macro regions be developed throughout the basin.   The Tisza macro region formed in April of 2011 and they have been an excellent example of cooperation and forward progress.   It took three years for the region to form its Integrated Tisza River Basin Management Plan ("Tisza river basin," 2011).  Because the Danube River Basin consists of 18 countries, formulating a single management for the basin is unrealistic.  Not all countries will need to change the same things and the time frame for them all agreeing to one plan would be longer than the problem should wait.  The macro-regions would tie together countries that had similar issues.  They would also tie together European Union member states with non member states.  Joining member states with non member states would help to enforce the nitrates directive. 

Each micro-region should  determine it best agricultural practices.  This could be done by creating test gardens that could try different agricultural techniques until the most suiting was found.   When each micro-region is determining their plans, the regions in the upper basin should incorporate using less fossil fuel based fertilizers, organic farming techniques, and introducing drip irrigation.  The lower basin should increase the amount of area along the lower basin that is considered a riparian buffer.  This will be useful in taking up nutrients that flowed from the upper to lower basin. 

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