N. N. Methodology of Calculating Compensation for Costs of Baltic Sea Ecosystem Restoration

Abstract

The article provides a unique author’s methodology of calculating compensation for costs connected with the Baltic Sea contamination. It is based on studying the contribution of all countries of the Baltic basin to anthropogenic burden on ecosystems of the sea. Contribution of each country to degradation of the Baltic Sea ecosystem was estimated and on this basis the general anti-rating of countries of anthropogenic impact was made up, as well as the anti-rating of Baltic countries by factors of eutrophication and contamination by oil products. With the help of the data a conclusion was made that each country shall pay a certain amount of money to restore the degraded ecosystems of the Baltic Sea according to the principle ‘contaminator pays’. Countries’ shares for restoration of the Baltic Sea were estimated. The obtained results are practically important and can be used to substantiate contribution of each country to degradation of ecosystems of other domestic seas of the world.