HELCOM presentation BSPC-PABSEC M. Helavuori 2.4.2019

Baltic Marine Environment ProtectionCommission - Helsinki Commission,Markus Helavuori, Professional SecretaryBSPC –PABSEC meeting, Istanbul 2.4.2019Baltic MarineEnvironmentProtectionCommission• Governing body ofHelsinkithe HelsinkiCommission Convention• intergovernmental• legal commitment• policy-makerBaltic Black Sea Med Atlantic Pacific45650 mm1250 m2,2 km2 km3,5 km4 km5 kmMAvaexr a dgeep dthepth9 km11 km1974 Helsinki ConventionFour decades of HELCOM work• All coastal countries and EUHow do we do it?cooperate based on the Baltic regional actionsinternational Helsinki RecommendationsConvention Harmonised implementationof international environmental• Mandate to address allregulationssources of pollution Joint initiatives of the BalticSea States within international• Science as foundation oforganisations (IMO, EU)policy-making (open access)• Stakeholders/observers fromvarious sectors are involvedHELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan”...achieve a Baltic Sea ingood environmental status by 2021”Baltic Sea Baltic Sea life Favourable status Maritimeunaffected by undisturbed by of Baltic Sea activities in theeutrophication hazardous biodiversity Baltic Sea carriedsubstances out in anenvironmentallyfriendly wayImplementation of theBaltic Sea Action PlanHELCOM implementation outlook of the ocean-related SDGs in the Baltic SeaHELCOM successes already deliver on SDGimplementation...... and a future HELCOM agenda will begeared towards full SDG implementation...including strengthening partnerships forsustainability......and contributing to the global processSDG 14 Conference, 5-9 June 2017, New YorkHELCOM commitments for the SDG 14 Conference• Strengthening the implementation of the HELCOM Baltic SeaAction Plan to support ocean-related SDGs• Designation and enhancement of implementation of the Baltic Seaas NOx Emission Control Area for ships and public-privatepartnership• Identification of Ecologically or Biologically Significant MarineAreas (EBSA) in the Baltic SeaBaltic Sea – Special area for sewage(IMO MARPOL Annex IV)PASSENGER SHIPSreduction ofON-BOARDAdvanced Sewage Treatment Plant TOTAL NITROGEN to20 mg/L or at least 70%TOTAL PHOSPHORUS to1 mg/L or at least 80%Adopted 2011Entered into force 2019 new ships / 2021 existing ships (2023 direct St. Petersburg – North Sea)SOx and NOx emissions from Baltic Sea shippingduring 2006–2015, monthly valuesSource: Johansson & Jalkanen, HELCOM Baltic Sea Environment Fact Sheet 2016252015NOx (kton*0,5)1080 %reduction ofNOx after 20215 for new shipsSOx (kton)02006 2007 2008 2009 2010 2011 2012 2013 2014 2015Example: Baltic Sea Marine Protected Areas(HELCOM MPAs) already cover 12% of marine areaSDG 14.5 By 2020, conserve atleast 10 per cent of coastal andmarine areas, consistent withnational and international law andbased on the best availablescientific information9 EBSAs were identified in aHELCOM workshop in Feb. 2018and approved by the UNBiodiversity Conference inNovember 2018HELCOM integrated assessmentsbased on core indicatorsEconomic benefitsof protecting marine environmentAnnual lossesAnnual lossesof recreationfrom eutrophication:values:3800–40001000–2200million €million €Why has the Baltic Seanot recovered yet?Several measures are ongoing...... but may not be comprehensive enough or have notbeen in place long enough.New issues are emerging + climate change.Baltic Sea Action Plan not yet fully implemented.Update of the Baltic Sea Action PlanKey guiding documents:– HELCOM 2018 Ministerial Declaration:as a first priority, achieve already agreed actions with renewed efforts to make progressotowards the goals of the current BSAP by 2021,in addition, address new issues, on the basis of the commitments made in thisoDeclaration and further deliberations during the BSAP updating process,the updated BSAP should include actions necessary for managing human activities inosuch a way that the current HELCOM strategic goals can be achieved,the updated BSAP will at least maintain the ambition leveloof agreed actions and objectives.– Strategic plan for the BSAP update– Work plan for the BSAP update– Establishment of SOM Platform and associated ToRConclusionsParticipation in HELCOM work by allContracting Parties is key.Agreements, measures and actions arenice, but they need to beimplemented!Commitment by all Contracting Partiesand stakeholders needed.Think of the big picture when it comesto resources.