Dr. Lilian Busse – Progress Report on Activities of HELCOM

Slide 1:Progress Report on Activities of HELCOMBSPC Standing Committee meeting, 22 February 2021Dr. Lilian BusseGerman Environment AgencyHead of Division Environmental Health and the Protection of EcosystemsChair of HELCOM (2020-2022)Slide 2:Outline21.02.20212BSPC Standing Committee meetingIntroduction of the German Chairmanship TeamIntroduction to HELCOMUpdate Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)Priorities during the German PresidencyBSPC August 2020Slide 3:Introduction of the German Chairmanship-Team21.02.20213BSPC Standing Committee meetingChair 2020-2022 Lilian Busse, Head of Division Environmental Health and the Protection of EcosystemsVice Chair 2020-2021Johannes Oelerich, Ministry of Energy, Agriculture, the Environment, Nature and Digitalization, Schleswig-HolsteinVice Chair 2021-2022Andreas Roepke, Ministry for Agriculture, Environment andConsumer Protection, Mecklenburg-VorpommernSlide 4:Introduction to HELCOM21.02.20214BSPC Standing Committee meetingExecutive SecretaryRüdiger StrempelSlide 5:Introduction to HELCOM21.02.20215BSPC Standing Committee meetingDecision making process in HELCOM: a bottom-up, science-based approach1) A mandate or impulse to look into a specific issue is usually given by the CPs2) The HELCOM Expert Groups constituted of national experts provide the scientific or technical background3) The HELCOM Working Groups (WG), also constituted of national experts, translate the scientific findings into draft recommendations, strategies or actions4) The Heads of Delegation formally approve the work of the Working Groups5) Sometimes, decision are taken at a higher level: Annual Meeting of the Helsinki Commission, Ministerial Meeting (every three years)Slide 6:Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)21.02.20216BSPC Standing Committee meetingTo restore the good ecological status of the Baltic marine environment by 2021Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophicationBaltic Sea undisturbed by hazardous substancesFavourable status of Baltic Sea biodiversityEnvironmentally friendly maritime activitiesSlide 7:Managing human activities:MM2018: “Include actions necessary for managing human activities [to meet the HELCOM goals]”Global targets and committments:SDGs, Aichi targets, EU MSFD considered in the updateAdapting the plan to the current HELCOM topics:Marine litter, underwater noise, seabed loss, biodiversity conservation, climate change...Based on a strong political mandate: Update decided by Ministerial Meeting 2018Evolution, not revolution:Based on current plan, same ambition level, existing commitments§Ecosystem approach:Economic and social benefits of a healthy sea will be consideredBSPC Standing Committee meetingBaltic Sea Action Plan: Update21.02.2021Slide 8:Nutrients:Nutrient recycling and internal nutrient reserves. Tool: Nutrient Recycling StrategyMarine litter: Significant reduction by 2025.Tool: Regional Action Plan on Marine LitterUnderwater noise:Addressing effects of noise on marine animal species. Tool: Regional Action Plan on Underwater NoiseLand-sea interaction:Working with river basin management authorities. Tool: Workshop with RBMAsClimate change: Understanding its effects for informed policies. Tool: Climate Change FactsheetMaritime spatial planning: applying ecosystem-based management. Tool: Regional Baltic MSP RoadmapHOLAS III (2016-2021)PLC-8 (1995-2021)Holistic assessment of state and loads on the Baltic SeaHELCOM Science Agenda: Future science needs for a healthy Baltic SeaBSPC Standing Committee meetingBaltic Sea Action Plan: Related Processes21.02.2021Slide 9:Baltic Sea Action Plan: Current Activities21.02.20219BSPC Standing Committee meetingHOD 59-2020Redraft proposed actions based on the comments received from Contracting PartiesSegment Teams / DG BSAPActions to be further considered and developedHELCOM42-2021Further developed actions will be presented for provisional agreementSegment Teams / DG BSAPThe actions will be drafted further based on guidance by HELCOM 42-2020HOD 60-2021Approval of actionsMinisterial MeetingAdoption of the updated BSAPDec 2020Jan-Feb 2021March 2021April-May 2021June 2021Oct 2021Slide 10:Activities during the German Presidency21.02.202110BSPC Standing Committee meetingWorking together for our SEA – the Baltic Sea:1) Strengthening ocean governance2) Updating and implementing the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) – Making progress on specific requirements3) Trying new solutions for well-known, pressing challenges4) Strengthening marine biodiversity5) Unterstanding and responding to climate change and the Baltic SeaSlide 11:BSPC August 202021.02.202111BSPC Standing Committee meetingStrengthening of Biodiversity- Complete and develop a coherent HELCOM-network of marine protected areas and their management with effective protection and conservation measures,- Step up efforts and measures to protect and conserve endangered species and habitats in the Baltic Sea (e.g. improving the status of the harbour porpoise populations, reintroduction of the sturgeon, tracking of the routes of migratory birds).Reduction of Nutrient Inputs- Develop options for action to reduce nutrient inputs, for example by analysing barriers to implementation, updating nutrient hotspots and assessing local tailor-made approaches.Problems of Munition, Ships wrecks and ghost nets- Exchanges expertise, share information and test technology with the goal of gaining a better overview of the scale of munition compounds and their potential impacts,- Ensure the safe and environmentally sound removal of munition from the Baltic Sea, - Implement of the Regional Marine Litter Action Plan and develop regional solutions to the problem of ghost nets.Slide 12:Thank you for your attention!Lilian BusseGerman Environment AgencyLilian.Busse@uba.de