BSPC WG CCB Questions Intergovernment Survey V 4 Oct

4 October 2021BSPC Working Group onClimate Change and Biodiversity (CCB)Intergovernmental surveyAdopted by the BSPC WG CCB on 4 October 2021The governments of the BSPC member parliaments are kindly asked to send statements and answers to the following issues and questions to their respective parliaments until 28 February 2022:General information on the measures and strategies in the BSPC member states and regionsClimate changeCould you give a policy-brief report about the measures and national strategies to combat climate change as well as existing and planned adaptation measures? The report should preferably be structured according to the following policy areas:National and global climate mitigation objectives (strategy, policy or roadmap aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions or achieving carbon neutrality, objectives in terms of reduction and by what time – concrete measures to achieve the goals);Critical sectors where the need for additional measures is imminent;Current and planned mitigation measures;Measures and strategies for adaptation to climate change.BiodiversityCould you give a policy-brief report about measures and national strategies to protect biodiversity and the integrity of ecosystems?Could you name some examples of areas, ecosystems, landscapes and habitats of particular importance for the protection of biodiversity – terrestrial as well as marine?It would be useful if you could briefly outline where and how biodiversity is most at stake in your country at the present time.The reports should also include the following aspects:- Each country’s views on the root causes and drivers of the problem;- National targets and how they have been met so far;- Concerning the HELCOM BSAP implementation: what has helped in their implementation and/or why have some not been met, with concrete examples from each country;- Legislative measures: best practice examples on progressive legislation as well as therole of taxation and how far both helped in achieving the objectives;- Other support measures that can help in achieving the objectives;- Has the COVID-19 pandemic had any impact whatsoever on achieving the measures?- Are there concrete figures on what impact measures to combat the pandemic had on the volume of greenhouse gas emissions (transport, economy)?- Are prosperity and an ecologically stable and sound environmental condition for future generations considered as a fundamental right in the decision-making processes?Legal basis of the measures and strategies in the BSPC member states and regionsWhat are the main provisions to combat climate change?Is there a climate protection law?What are the main provisions on biodiversity?Is there a law protecting biodiversity?Specific areas and aspectsMaritime areas and protected zonesHow exactly are maritime areas protected?Have large-scale zero-use zones in marine conservation areas been established in your territorial waters, or is the establishment of such zones planned?What actions has your country taken to create functioning coastal ecosystems?(Well-functioning coastal ecosystems are key for combating climate change. Well-managed areas can store carbon but destroyed ecosystems risk becoming carbon sources. Good management can include restoration of important habitats, e.g., eel grass, limitation of new constructions etc.)Eutrophication(Eutrophication is a major threat to biodiversity in the Baltic Sea and has a negative impact on bothecosystem function and ecological services. Mitigating eutrophication is essential for the protection ofbiodiversity.)What actions does your country take to fulfil the BSAP and other directives?Which objectives of the Baltic Sea Action Plan are planned to be realised in your country by when and by which measures?How can we speed up the work?Sea-dumped munitionsAre there areas in your territorial waters that are contaminated with ammunition?What is the government’s strategy for dealing with dumped munition to mitigate impacts on the marine environment?Towards zero pollution(Pollution harms our health and our environment. It is the largest environmental cause of multiple mental and physical diseases and of premature deaths, especially among children, people with certain medical conditions and the elderly. In addition to affecting people’s health, pollution is one of the main reasons for the loss of biodiversity. It reduces the ability of ecosystems to provide services such as carbon sequestration and decontamination. Therefore, these questions are being asked.)Is your government following a zero-pollution action plan for air, water and earth?What time horizon is planned for which intermediate steps and goals?Which measures in this direction have already been initiated or are to be realised?What concrete projects for the avoidance of plastic pollution is your governmentsupporting?Has the state banned fireworks, balloons, plastic confetti and other environmentally harmful activities to minimize the environmental footprint? If so, what environmentally harmful activities has the state prohibited?EconomyWhat are the investment priorities of the state to reduce CO2 emissions?What is the role of carbon capture, utilisation and storage in achieving climate neutrality in the government’s strategy?Has the state considered or planned a ban on coal usage? If so, what is the plan for implementation?What is the strategy of the state regarding the use of hydrogen in the next 10 years?InnovationWhich programmes are used to promote innovations in climate protection and biodiversity, in which areas and to what extent?Which areas are particularly supported in terms of research and development regarding climate protection and biodiversity?What effects are expected from current support measures?International cooperationIn which fields are there concrete cooperations and joint projects with neighbouring countries in the areas of climate change, and biodiversity?Are increased cooperation and the implementation of joint projects planned for the future?What effects are expected as a result?To what extent does your country support developing countries in their efforts to strengthen climate protection and biodiversity measures?AdaptationHas your state or region adopted a climate change adaptation strategy, policy or roadmap?If that is the case, could you indicate its main objectives, policy tools and measures?Involvement of citizens and stakeholdersIs your state or region implementing initiatives to stimulate the involvement of socio-economic actors (e.g., industry, scientific community), foundations or citizens (civil society, youth) in its policies in the field of climate action and biodiversity (e.g., via discussion fora or consultative bodies?)Are there initiatives to involve especially the young generation more strongly in opinion-forming processes and decision-making in the areas of climate change and biodiversity?Are there plans to increase such initiatives in the future?