1. HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan – progress on the eve of the 2013 Ministerial Meeting Monika Stankiewicz HELCOM Executive Secretary Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission The 22 nd Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference 26 August 2013, Pärnu, Estonia

2. TASKS: To evaluate the effectiveness of the 2007 Baltic Sea Action Plan, for eutrophication, hazardous substances, biodiversity and maritime activities: –national implementation programmes (NIPs) –regional, joint actions To review progress towards a healthy Baltic Sea for Based on the above, adjustment of the BSAP and update of targets - adaptive management

3. What is the eutrophication status of the Baltic now and in a longer time perspective? Integrated status, 2003-2007 Anoxic bottoms, 1897-2006

4. Tackling eutrophication - Linking ecological objectives to Nutrient Reduction Scheme Non- eutrophicated water Eutrophicated water How much nutrient inputs need to be reduced to the Baltic Sea? New improved figures 2013: - P: 15 176 tons (41%) - N: 118 134 tons (13%) 2007: - P: 15 250 tons - N: 135 000 tons

5. When will the Baltic Sea be healthy? Fulfillment of HELCOM nutrient reduction targets starts in year 0 Nutrient inputs remain at the level prior the Baltic Sea Action Plan – no reductions Concentration of phosphorous Nitrogen fixation in Gulf of Finland – indicative of blue- green algae HELCOM Target level Source: Baltic Nest Institute Sweden

6. Progress in reduction of nitrogen (waterborne) Baltic Proper Guld of FinlandBaltic Sea – 9% Kattegat trend line

7. Progress in reduction of phosphorous (waterborne) Baltic Proper Gulf of Riga Baltic Sea – 10% Gulf of Finland trend line

8. Transboundary pollution to the Baltic Baltic Sea shipping North Sea shipping -Riverine (Belarus, Ukraine, Czech) -Airborne (non-HELCOM countries, sources at sea) - tons

9. Maritime activities in the upcoming Ministerial Meeting Safety of navigation and emergency response –Risk assessments of shipping accidents –Recommendation on e-navigation –Hydrographic Re-surveys –Building capacities to respond to pollution at sea, places of refuge Special area for sewage discharges from passenger ships Emissions –Green Technology and Alternative Fuels Platform for Shipping –NOx Emission Control Area (NECA) Ballast Water Management Convention Regional Maritime Spatial Planning Road Map (in cooperation with VASAB)

10. 2013 HELCOM Red List of Baltic Sea Species in danger of becoming extinct 1753 assessed species 8.3% red-listed, incl.: -> 29% fish -> 37% birds -> 71% mammals The reasons behind the species’ current situation: Eutrophication Fishing Construction By-catch in fisheries Alien species

11. Impact of climate change and adaptation We are already living in a changing climate HELCOM-BALTEX cooperation has produced assessment of climate change implication on the marine environment Impacts of climate change may undermine efforts to reach good environmental status – even more stringent /supplementary measures needed in the future e.g. measures to reach nutrient reduction targets

12. Concluding remarks Full and timely implementation of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan will lead us to a healthy Baltic Sea Overall benefits of reducing nutrients (M€ 3600 - 4000 annually) clearly exceed its costs (M€ 1400 - 2800 annually) (BalticStern) Baltic Sea region – a strong case for collaboration between countries and with sectors Climate change will affect the scope of measures The Baltic Sea a forerunner in environmental protection combined with green innovations Decisions need to be matched with sufficient financing