Tenfjord-Toftby at 30 BSPC

30TH BSPC: THIRD SESSIONClimate change and BiodiversitySpeaker: Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, MP,Chair of the BSPC Working Group on Climate change and BiodiversityLadies and gentlemen,Dear friends and colleagues,It is a great pleasure for me, as chair of the BSPC Working Group on Climate Changeand Biodiversity, to give you an account of the background and aim of the WorkingGroup, as well as of some of the results so far.First of all, this summer we have seen countless examples of extreme weather indifferent parts of the world in form of long-lasting heatwaves, burning forests, floodingand melting icebergs. Climate change is indisputably an ongoing process that we needto adapt to, but even more important, doing our best to counteract and mitigate. As MsSvenja Schulze so clearly underlined in her video message, the situation for the marineecosystems is critical, and therefore it was most positive to take part of the GermanHELCOM Presidency and its focus on biodiversity. In this context, I also think that weall can agree on the necessity of cross-party political support from the states aroundthe Baltic Sea.The BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity was launched at the29th Digital Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on 24 August 2020. When theWorking Group was established it was decided that it should focus on theenvironmental aspect of climate change and biodiversity as well as on innovation,technology and best practices. The primary outcome of our work will consist of anumber of political recommendations on the topic of climate change and biodiversity.By acquiring knowledge from experts, learning from each other and by studying bestpractice examples of successful projects, I am convinced that the Working Group cancontribute significantly to this most important task to mitigate and counteract the effectsof climate change, as well as to preserve biodiversity. As pointed out in the scope ofwork of the Working Group one of the goals is to create closer cooperation in this fieldand to facilitate far-reaching decisions through parliamentary support in the wholeBaltic Sea region.Regrettably, due to the COVID-19-pandemic, the Working Group has not yet been ableto meet each other in person. Instead, we have during this first year held three digitalmeetings where we have been given valuable knowledge about the alarming situationconcerning climate change, the current status of the Baltic Sea, and not least a numberof successful projects with the intention to improve the environment, both in the seaand on land.When it comes to environmental projects on a more local level, there seem to be twoimportant success factors, one is to both inform and involve all parts of the localcommunity in order to gain acceptance and an understanding for the differentmeasures that has to be taken. The other one is that the projects have to be very wellfunded and given long-lasting financial resources for the required activities andmeasurements.At our meeting in November 2020 the Working Group learned that eutrophication stillis the largest threat to the Baltic Sea, and that we need to reduce the organic loads onthe coastal areas and restore carbon-rich ecosystems to build resilience. We were alsotold about a project called “ElectriVillage”, a solar- powered hydrogen refuelling stationin the Swedish municipality Mariestad, aiming to create a more sustainable society andat the same time develop new professions.At the meeting in March 2021 the Working Group were, among other things, informedof the main contents and key issues of the upcoming update of the Baltic Sea ActionPlan and HELCOM ́s action for a healthier Baltic Sea. We also learned about thesuccessful project “Living Coast – Regaining good ecological status in coastal areas”,which aimed to reduce nutrient input into the Baltic Sea.Normally, the Working Groups within the BSPC have a two-year mandate, but becauseof the fact that we so far have been unable to arrange physical meetings, which in turnhave compromised our ability to draw conclusions and go forward, the WG has takenthe decision that we would like to prolong the Working Group ́s mandate until 2023.This would also mean that we during the coming two years hopefully will be givenseveral opportunities to study best practice examples on location, and that the qualityand outcome of our work for that reason will be even better.When it comes to climate change and biodiversity, it is crucial that we include theperspective of young people. In line with this ambition, a Baltic Sea ParliamentaryYouth Forum was arranged on August 28. As one part of the Youth Forum, theparticipants was encouraged to give a number of recommendations aimed to bepresented to the Working Group. We will, within the framework of the Working Group,look further into the recommendations and consider how they can be incorporated inour work. I was deeply impressed by both the engagement and the knowledge thatwas shown by the young participants, and I do hope that this was only the beginningof a more structured collaboration with the younger generation in the future.The Working Group CCB Interim Report that is now published is an overview of thefirst results of our work. The primary focus in the report lies on the politicalrecommendations which were elaborated during the meetings and were forwarded tothe 30th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference. This report should thus be considereda strategic summary of our work so far.Finally, I would like to thank the two vice-chairs of the working group, Ms Liz Mattssonfrom the Åland Islands and Mr Kolbeinn Óttarsson Proppé from Iceland, for theirvaluable contributions. Furthermore, I would like to thank all the members of theWorking Group for your commitment, constructive discussions, and a genuinelypleasant atmosphere.Thank you very much!