HELCOM and BSAP in brief by Ruediger Strempel

Slide 1:HELCOM & Baltic Sea Action Plan in briefBy Rüdiger Strempel Executive Secretary of HELCOMWorking Group CCB – BSPC15 March 2021Slide 2:Catchment area:4x area of the seaPopulation (catchment):85 millionBusy waterway: up to 2000 largervessels sailing at any given timeUnique but fragileecosystemThe Baltic SeaMultitude of pressuresaffecting the BalticSlide 3:Progress yes, but...Eutrophication:Still the major pressuredespite considerable improvements and clear trends of nutrient reduction since the 1980s.97% of the Baltic Sea is affected by eutrophicationTotal losses of 3.8–4.4 billion euros annually for the Baltic Sea region attributed to eutrophicationEmerging and previously unaddressed challenges:Marine litter, plastic pollution and ghost netsPOPs: “Forever chemicals”PharmaceuticalsUnderwater noiseSeabed disturbanceClimate changeReasons for delay:Ecosystem lagNew challengesSome measures haven’t been implemented yetSome measures might not be sufficientThe Baltic Sea is notin a good state:Good Environmental Status (GES) and the environmental goals set by HELCOM are unlikely to be fully reached by 2021 as previously decided.Slide 4:About HELCOM▴ Signing of the Helsinki Convention in 19741974: The Helsinki Convention, signed by the then seven Contracting Parties1980: Establishment of theHELCOM Secretariat1992: Ten Contracting PartiesEE, EU, DK, DE, FI, LV, LT, PL, SE, RUSlide 5:HELCOM structureSlide 6:Decision 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 CPs, based on findings from the various HELCOM bodies (Working Groups, Expert Groups...)2) 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 8:HELCOM tools: how we get things doneThe Helsinki ConventionInstrument of int. law, containingobjectives & obligations.Annexes: technical guidelines and regulations.Recommendationson measures to address areas of concern, implementable through national legislation. In total, about 260 recommendations have been adopted so far.Action plans & projectsContain actions and measures with such as Baltic Sea Action Plan, Regional Action Plan on Marine Litter, and most HELCOM projects.Monitoring & assessmentsIndicators (pressures on and state of the environment)Thematic assessmentsHolistic assessmentsMinisterial MeetingsSet the major strategic directions and provide the necessary political commitment.Slide 9:Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)To restore the good ecological status of the Baltic marine environment by 2021Baltic Sea unaffected by eutrophicationBaltic Sea undisturbed by hazardous substancesEnvironmentally friendly maritime activitiesFavourable status of Baltic Sea biodiversitySlide 10:Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)Science-based actions:BSAP is based on long-term vision and actions, underpinned by solid scienceRegional and cross-sectoral acceptance:The BSAP is widely accepted accross the Baltic Sea regionProtection of biodiversity:Improvements can be linked to the BSAP, such as for sealsCleaner and safer shipping:Less maritime accidents and spills, cleaner shipping practicesNutrients and hazardous substances:Reduction of inputs due to BSAP actionsHELCOM’s programme of actions for a healthier Baltic SeaSlide 11:2021: Update of the BSAPManaging human activities:MM2018: “Include actions necessary for managing human activities [to meet the HELCOM goals]”Global targets and commitments: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 consideredSlide 12:Updated BSAP:Structure& goalsSlide 13:Related processesNutrients: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 SeaSlide 14:BSAP implementationof joint actions are implementedJoint actions are those carried out jointly through HELCOM and its Working Groups and projects, for example the development of HELCOM Recommendations, joint management guidelines, or assessments of environmental status.of national actions are fully implemented by all countries. National actions are actions which require steps to be taken at the national level, for example the designation of Marine Protected Areas, development of national management plans, or enactment of agreed measures such as developing national programmes on hazardous substances or nutrients/eutrophication.29%71%Tracking BSAP implementation progressHELCOM Explorer database – https://helcom.fi/explorer