HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Northern Dimension and the oceans and the seas Mieczysław Ostojski, Prof. WSS Chairman Helsinki Commission 15th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) 4-5 September 2006, Reykjavik, Iceland

Contents Introduction Applying ecosystem approach - HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Meeting of regional and European policies Conclusions

The Baltic Sea Shallow semi-enclosed sea Slow water exchange Brackish water – hard living environment for flora and fauna

Main environmental challenges Eutrophication Hazardous substances Destruction of habitats and biodiversity (including overfishing) Growing maritime and offshore activities

HELCOM Regional co-operation since 1974 Based on the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area 9 Contracting States; 8 of them - EU members Bridge between science and policy Ecosystem approach – the guiding principle

Ecosystem Approach Agreed by the Ministers in 2003 HELCOM’s vision - a healthy Baltic Sea environment, with diverse biological components functioning in balance, resulting in a good ecological status and supporting a wide range of sustainable human economic and social activities Clear need for cross-sector approach Way forward – HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan

HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Ecological objectives Indicators and targets Concrete actions identified to achieve agreed objectives Wide stakeholders involvement High political commitment by the Contracting Parties

HELCOM Ecological Objectives Describing key issues within each of our four environmental priority areas –reflect central ecosystem functions –highlighting topics of common concern also –clear –measurable –scientifically sound –politically agreed E.g. all Baltic fish should be suitable for human consumption, water clarity restored to historical values, no excessive algal blooms, etc.

Targets and indicators Indicators to assess our progress for each environmental objective Target levels which are characteristic for a good environmental status –applied at sub-regional level, taking into account natural variability –guidance for future measures

Actions Scientifically sound and clearly linked to processes in the Baltic ecosystem Based on sub-regional specifics of the Baltic National, regional, European/global Based on cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis

Water clarity indicator and tentative targets Modelling used to calculate needed reductions in loads to achieve the water clarity goals

Example scenario water clarity for the open sea effect on nitrogen fixation and primary production required total reduction for the Baltic Sea: 35 % P and 10% N

Linking the Baltic needs to Europen processes National policies International (EU) policies: –Water Framework Directive and other directives –Marine Strategy –Maritime Strategy –EU Common Agricultural Policy –EU Financial Mechanims and Programmes –etc.

From science to actions Identification of most cost-effective measures in different sub-regions Input to political processes Guidance to the use of economic tools (IFI, EU Programmes etc) Actions at national, regional and international (EU, global) level

Timeline 2003 adoption of Ecosystem Approach at HELCOM level 2005 decision to develop a Baltic Sea Action Plan 2007 adoption of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan including objectives, targets actions (ministers of environment and agriculture) 2009 adoption of River Basin Management Plans 2016development of programmes of measures to achieve good environmental status of the marine environment (draft EU Directive on Marine Strategy)

Conclusions The HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is converting the ecosystem approach to real actions Right timing Complex set of measures to be taken at different level Additional momentum once the Marine Strategy is adopted The Baltic Sea Action Plan itself will not solve the environmental problems of the Baltic - commitment to its implementation is crucial –Nationally –EU level

Conclusions recipe for success Strong commitment to the development and implementation of the agreed actions Baltic Sea Action Plan – the corner stone for policies and actions related to the Baltic environment –Integration of the Baltic needs into River Basin Management Plans –Use of common Baltic knowledge and priorities in policy making in EU –Nothern Dimension

Conclusions Russia – equal partner Different legal regime ND tool to achieve common goals Investment policies to follow agreed priorities HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan - good way to achieve goals

For more information please contact: Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) Katajanokanlaituri 6 B FI Helsinki Finland Thank you