Presentation by Mieczyslaw Ostojski

HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan Northern Dimension and the oceans and the seasMieczysław Ostojski, Prof. WSSChairmanHelsinki Commission15th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC)4-5 September 2006, Reykjavik, IcelandContentsIntroductionApplying ecosystem approach - HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanMeeting of regional and European policiesConclusionsThe Baltic SeaShallow semi-enclosed seaSlow water exchangeBrackish water – hard living environment for flora and faunaMain environmental challengesEutrophicationHazardous substancesDestruction of habitats and biodiversity (including overfishing)Growing maritime and offshore activitiesHELCOMRegional co-operation since 1974Based on the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area9 Contracting States; 8 of them - EU membersBridge between science and policyEcosystem approach – the guiding principleEcosystem ApproachAgreed by the Ministers in 2003HELCOM’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 activitiesClear need for cross-sector approachWay forward – HELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanHELCOM Baltic Sea Action PlanEcological objectivesIndicators and targetsConcrete actions identified to achieve agreed objectivesWide stakeholders involvementHigh political commitment by the Contracting PartiesHELCOM Ecological ObjectivesDescribing key issues within each of our four environmental priority areasreflect central ecosystem functionshighlighting topics of common concernalsoclearmeasurablescientifically soundpolitically agreedE.g. all Baltic fish should be suitable for human consumption, water clarity restored to historical values, no excessive algal blooms, etc.Targets and indicatorsIndicators to assess our progress for each environmental objectiveTarget levels which are characteristic for a good environmental statusapplied at sub-regional level, taking into account natural variabilityguidance for future measuresActionsScientifically sound and clearly linked to processes in the Baltic ecosystemBased on sub-regional specifics of the BalticNational, regional, European/globalBased on cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysisWater clarity indicator and tentative targetsModelling used to calculate needed reductions in loads to achieve the water clarity goalsExample scenario water clarity for the open seaLinking the Baltic needs to Europen processesNational policiesInternational (EU) policies:Water Framework Directive and other directivesMarine StrategyMaritime StrategyEU Common Agricultural PolicyEU Financial Mechanims and Programmesetc.From science to actionsIdentification of most cost-effective measures in different sub-regionsInput to political processesGuidance to the use of economic tools (IFI, EU Programmes etc)Actions at national, regional and international (EU, global) levelTimeline2003 adoption of Ecosystem Approach at HELCOM level2005 decision to develop a Baltic Sea Action Plan2007 adoption of the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan including objectives, targets actions (ministers of environment and agriculture)2009 adoption of River Basin Management Plans2016 development of programmes of measures to achieve good environmental status of the marine environment (draft EU Directive on Marine Strategy)ConclusionsThe HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan is converting the ecosystem approach to real actionsRight timingComplex set of measures to be taken at different levelAdditional momentum once the Marine Strategy is adoptedThe Baltic Sea Action Plan itself will not solve the environmental problems of the Baltic - commitment to its implementation is crucialNationallyEU levelConclusions recipe for successStrong commitment to the development and implementation of the agreed actionsBaltic Sea Action Plan – the corner stone for policies and actions related to the Baltic environmentIntegration of the Baltic needs into River Basin Management PlansUse of common Baltic knowledge and priorities in policy making in EUNothern DimensionConclusionsRussia – equal partnerDifferent legal regimeND tool to achieve common goalsInvestment policies to follow agreed prioritiesHELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan - good way to achieve goalsThank youHELCOM_biodiversity