Nutrient pollution, primarily from agricultural runoff and untreated sewage, is a global issue that threatens our water bodies and marine life. Despite international commitments to reduce nutrient pollution, progress has been slow and the problem continues to grow. However, this challenge also presents an opportunity for innovative solutions and the development of a new market focused on nutrient management.

The Scale of the Problem

According to the World Resources Institute, nutrient pollution is one of the biggest environmental challenges we face today. Nutrients from fertilizers, untreated sewage, and urban areas run off into bodies of water, fueling harmful algal growth (known as eutrophication) that threatens drinking water and creates “dead zones” that rob water of the oxygen necessary to support marine life. More than 700 coastal areas worldwide are impacted by eutrophication or dead zones.

Despite global goals, progress is lacking in curbing nutrient pollution. Climate change and increased development could exacerbate current trends by bringing warmer waters and more nutrient loads from fertilizer and urban land use. The challenge is to produce more food and energy while decreasing nutrient pollution.

The Market for Nutrient Pollution Solutions

The need to address nutrient pollution has created a growing market for innovative solutions. Governments, businesses, and non-profit organizations are investing in technologies and practices to reduce nutrient runoff, treat wastewater, and restore water quality.

For instance, the Global Nutrient Management Toolbox, created by the Global Partnership on Nutrient Management (GPNM) in partnership with the World Resources Institute, collects examples of practices and innovative solutions for controlling the various sources of nutrient pollution. These include technologies for treating wastewater, practices for reducing agricultural runoff, and strategies for sustainable development.

In New Zealand, the government set up a trust to protect Lake Taupo from increased nitrogen loads. The trust purchases land where nitrogen pollution is high and converts it to forests. It also provides financial incentives to farmers and other landowners employing nitrogen-reduction technologies and conducts research on innovative pollution-control practices.

The Future of the Nutrient Pollution Market

As the global community continues to grapple with nutrient pollution, the market for solutions is likely to grow. Governments will need to invest in infrastructure to treat wastewater and manage nutrient runoff. Farmers will need to adopt more sustainable practices. And businesses will need to develop and market technologies that can help reduce nutrient pollution.

The nutrient pollution market is still in its early stages, but it has the potential to become a significant sector within the broader environmental services industry. As the world continues to seek solutions to nutrient pollution, businesses that can provide effective and affordable solutions will find a ready market for their products and services.