Balticsea 2020

Working for a living coast – what are the benefits to society?

The period from 2012 to 2017 will see a variety of actions as part of the Living Coast project to improve the aquatic environment in the Björnöfjärden, Säbyviken and Torpe-Infjärden inlet system on the island of Ingarö east of Stockholm. The results of these actions will provide important information on how Baltic inlets can be restored to a good ecological status. This project will create an understanding of the benefits and consequences for individuals, authorities and society in general through the study “Working for a living coast – what are the benefits to society?”

Background
Actions come at a cost, and just how much they cost will be studied by the Living Coast project. They can also have consequences for society beyond their direct cost, not least the benefits associated with an improved aquatic environment. Work on restoring inlet systems can, for example, lead to clearer and better bathing water, fewer algal blooms and better fishing, which is good news for locals and visitors alike. This can make the inlets and the surrounding area more attractive for people to live and visit, boosting property prices and the area’s popularity. A knowledge of these consequences is essential for obtaining a complete picture of the actions being taken as part of the Living Coast project.

Aim
The aim of this part of the Living Coast project is to explore the potential consequences for individuals, authorities and other groups in society of restoration work in the project's focus area of Björnöfjärden, Säbyviken and Torpe-Infjärden.

Method
The project will use the principles of economic impact analysis, with cost-benefit analysis as a key element. This method is widely accepted, both in theory and in practice, and is used by government bodies such as the Swedish Agency for Marine and Water Management and the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency. The benchmark will be the state of the aquatic environment before the actions under the Living Coast project.

The study will be performed in several stages starting in summer 2012, and the initial conclusions will be presented at the end of the year.