BSPC Siren 1

Slide 1:Eutrophication of the Baltic SeaBSPC 2019Saara-Sofia SirénMember of Parliament, Parliament of FinlandSlide 3:“How could international policy linked to Circular Economy affect eutrophication of the Baltic Sea in the future?“Focus on the possibilities that circular economy has in decreasing nutrient flows.Viewpoint is on international co-operation between countries and areas that share the sea or are located around the drainage basin.Report introduces four scenarios based on Futures Studies methods.Slide 4:AnalysisResearch material consists of official documents and international policy related to eutrophication of the Baltic Sea and circular economy as a means to decrease nutrient flow.Variables viewed:Political factorsEconomic factorsSocial factorsTechnological factorsEnvironmental factorsLegal FactorsSlide 5:Future ScenariosFour scenarios present different future paths formed from the various factors effecting the possibilities of circular economy in saving the Baltic Sea.Admission to possibilitiesFuture dominated by other thingsContinuum of status quoRandom coincidences and private saviorsSlide 6:Conclusions 1/4Eutrophication is still affecting the Baltic SeaEven though amount of phosphorus and nitrogen have fallenGlobal climate change will amplify the effects of nutrient loadSlide 7:Conclusions 2/4Repairing the damage is a complex and time-consuming taskResults may become visible only after a long period of timeCircular economy is not about repairing damage that has already been donePrograms and strategies would still be needed in order to reduce the eutrophication of the seaCircular economy could lead to adoption of a processes that would cause less harmSlide 8:Conclusions 3/4Eutrophication could be tackledHolistic understanding of circular economy would be needed for adopting circular economy in legislative structures, international policy and therefore official acts and business practices.Utilization of the circular economy requires a new way of thinking. Change should be supported by legislative structures and policy.For example agricultural subsidy mechanismsSlide 9:Conclusions 4/4Focus should be put on national implementation of international agreements and strategies.international relations, ways of cooperation and the overall economic situation greatly impact the possibilities for effective implementation of shared targets.It is critical that agriculture is viewed as the solution rather than the problem.Decisions based on up-to-date research dataSlide 10:Report on the Exercise of the Observer Status of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) at the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (Helsinki Commission - HELCOM) 2019Sylvia Bretschneider & Saara-sofia sirénSlide 11:IN MEMORIAM Sylvia BretschneiderSylvia Bretschneider, President of the State Parliament of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern has passed away on 28. 04.2019 after a long and courageous battle against serious illness.President of the BSPC in 2014-15Chair of the BSPC Working Group on Sustainable Tourism 2015-2017Member of the BSPC Standing CommitteeSince 2002 observer of HELCOMHer engagement and passion for the BSPC and HELCOM will be upheld and serve as an ambitious goal and inspiration for the states’ to continue the great work on cooperation between the Baltic Sea States and achieving a healthy environment.Slide 12:OverviewHELCOM celebrated its 40th Commission Meeting, that was held in Helsinki, Finland 6-9 March 2019. It was centered around the results from the Second Holistic Assessment of the ecosystem health of the Baltic Sea ( HOLAS II) which was conducted and finalized in mid 2018. Unfortunately, the report revealed, that most of the objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) will likely not be reached by its target year 2021. As a result, the Ministerial Meeting 2018 decided on a mandate to update the BSAP by 2021.On 21st and 22nd march the International environmental forum “Baltic Sea Days” celebrated the 20 years of joint collaboration and progress in the Baltic Sea area in St. Petersburg.Slide 13:Main Decisions in 2018-2019Update of the Baltic Sea Action Planprovides a concrete plan for the HELCOM States and has been adopted by all of themActions to evaluate and identify effective measures to reach GES in the Baltic Sea Marine region (ACTION)Sufficiency of Measures (HELCOM SOM Platform)Developments in achieving a GESNew recommendation on threatened habitats and biotopesNew AIS data managementHELCOM BALEX DELTA Exercise in Karlskrona, SwedenAlternative fuels for shipping in the Baltic Sea RegionCooperation between OSPAR and HELCOMBALTFISH cooperationSlide 14:Prospects for 2019 and beyondStrengthening Cooperation between the BSPC and HELCOMChange of HELCOM’s executive SecretaryMr. Rüdiger Stempel from GermanyFinlands Chairmanship and following German HELCOM Chairmanship 2020-2022Slide 15:Thank you!Saara-sofia.siren@parliament.fiTwitter: @saarasofia