Final Report BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) 22-23

BSPC Working Group onClimate Change and Biodiversity (CCB)Final ReportAugust 2023Berlin , 27 – 29August 202 332YEARSBSPCBSPC Working Group onClimate Change and Biodiversity (CCB)Final ReportAugust 2023Berlin , 27 – 29August 202 332YEARSBSPCFinal Report on Climate Changeand Biodiversity for the 32nd BSPC© Schwerin, August 2023T exts: Working Group, Experts in theWG meetings,Governments of the Baltic Sea States,Philipp da Cunha,Bodo Bahr, Marc Hertel, Jördis Palme,Evgenya BakalovaEditing: Bodo Bahr, Jördis PalmeLayout: produktionsbüro TINUSBaltic Sea Parliamentary Conferencewww.bspc.netBaltic Sea Parliamentary ConferenceBodo BahrSecretary General+49 171 5512557bodo.bahr@bspcmail.netwww.bspc.netBSPC SecretariatSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermanyThe Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC) was established in 1991 as a forum for political dialogue betweenparliamentarians from the Baltic Sea Region. The BSPC aims to raise awareness and opinion on issues of currentpolitical interest and relevance for the Baltic Sea Region. It promotes and drives various initiatives and efforts tosupport the sustainable environmental, social and economic development of the Baltic Sea Region. It strives toenhance the visibility of the Baltic Sea Region and its issues in a broader European context. BSPC gathers parlia -mentarians from 10 national parliaments, 7 regional parliaments with legislative powers, one supranational par -liament and 4 parliamentary organisations around the Baltic Sea. The BSPC thus constitutes a unique parliamen -tary bridge between the democratic EU- and non-EU countries of the Baltic Sea Region. BSPC external interfac -es include parliamentary, governmental, subregional and other organisations in the Baltic Sea Region and theNorthern Dimension area, among them CBSS, HELCOM, the Northern Dimension Partnership in Health andSocial Well-Being (NDPHS), the Baltic Sea Labour Forum (BSLF) and the Baltic Sea States Subregional Coop -eration (BSSSC).The BSPC shall initiate and guide political activities in the region; support and strengthen democratic institutionsin the participating states; improve dialogue between governments, parliaments and civil society; strengthen thecommon identity of the Baltic Sea Region by means of close cooperation between national and regional parlia -ments based on equality; and initiate and guide political activities in the Baltic Sea Region, endowing them withadditional democratic legitimacy and parliamentary authority.The political recommendations of the annual Parliamentary Conferences are expressed in a Conference Resolu -tion adopted by consensus by the Conference. The adopted Resolution shall be submitted to the governments ofthe Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU and disseminated to other relevant national, regional and local stake -holders in the Baltic Sea Region and its neighbourhood.3BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportContentsContents ........................................................................... 3Introduction ......................................................................... 4Executive Summary ................................................................... 6Final Report ........................................................................ 121. Purpose ......................................................................... 122. Mandate ......................................................................... 123. Scope of Work – Programme and Work in Progress ........................................ 134. Working Group Meetings ........................................................... 165. Intergovernmental Survey ............................................................ 486. Best practices – Examples ............................................................ 507. Political Recommendations .......................................................... 558. Excerpts from Statements of the Governments of the Baltic Sea Regionto the 31st BSPC resolution related to environment, climate change and biodiversity .............. 62List of Chairmanship ................................................................. 71List of Members ..................................................................... 734BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportIntroductionDear Ladies and Gentlemen,It is a great honour and pleasure for me to present the Final Reportof the BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversi -ty. From its establishment at the 29th BSPC in 2020 until its con -clusion at the 32nd BSPC in 2023, the Working Group has aimedat preparing ambitious, effective, and realistic recommendationsfor the governments of the Baltic Sea region in the area of climatechange adaptation and mitigation as well as biodiversity protec -tion. Its interim proposals and calls for action have been integrat -ed into the resolutions passed by the 30th and 31st BSPC. Thecore outcomes of the Working Group – a comprehensive list of 25far-reaching recommendations – have been unanimously adoptedat the final Working Group meeting in Gdańsk, Poland and are in -cluded in the draft of the resolution of the 32nd BSPC.BSPC Working Groups traditionally focus on local best practicesand knowledge sharing on the most current issues affecting our re -gion, countries, and communities. The geopolitical, political, andenvironmental developments of the past three years have shownthat the topic of our Working Group could hardly be more timely.In 2023, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC)Synthesis Report concluded that at the current rate, the +1.5°Ctemperature increase threshold would already be reached by the ear -ly 2030s – with profound consequences for ecosystems and humanactivities all around the globe. And the Copernicus Climate ChangeService (C3S) confirmed that global average temperature for July2023 was the highest on record for any month. At the same time,the IPCC report underlined that international cooperation was acritical enabler of accelerated climate action. We already see such in -ternational efforts in the Baltic Sea region: the updated Baltic SeaAction Plan (BSAP), adopted by the HELCOM Ministerial Meet -ing in October 2021, provides a strategic program of action forachieving good ecological status of the Baltic Sea by 2030.Indeed, climate change and biodiversity loss are global challenges,which cannot be mastered by a single country or even a single re -gion alone. Therefore, a broad consensus and joint internationalefforts are urgently needed in order to address these common is -sues. However, in order to be effective, climate solutions must tobe tied back to and “owned” at the local level, since this is wheremost of the ambitious international and national measures wouldhave to be implemented.Mr Philipp da Cunha5BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportLocal experiences, successes, but also challenges have stood at the centre of the BSPC Working Group’s in -terests and concerns throughout its extended three-year mandate. Through regular and intensive contactswith officials, entrepreneurs, researchers, civil society and youth representatives from all across the BalticSea region, the Working Group’s members could benefit from local stakeholders’ views and ideas on a widerange of relevant topics. These included but were not limited to blue carbon potential, sustainable fisher -ies, peatland renaturation, sustainable energies, island habitability, and climate change in the Arctic – justto enumerate a few. The themes of the eight Working Group meetings were chosen in such a way as to re -flect the specificities of our Baltic Sea region in general and the particularities of each host region.During these meetings, many of our invited experts and guests have underlined the importance ofopen communication, transparency, and public engagement. Be it in the area of farmer compensa -tions in rewetted peatlands, reed recycling, or offshore wind farm construction – working togetherwith local communities was seen as essential for successful climate action.The report at hand offers a unique and comprehensive overview of the knowledge, experiences, bestpractices, as well as existing projects and policies shared by local stakeholders and governments fromacross the Baltic Sea region. The Working Group’s final recommendations combine and condense thiswealth of knowledge into a set of focussed, far-reaching, but also pragmatic political recommendations.I would like to extend my sincere gratitude to Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, former member of the SwedishRiksdag and former Chair of the Working Group, for her engaged and inspiring work. Ms Tenfjord-Toft -by has led our group in the most challenging times – with the global pandemic and the disastrous war onthe European continent disturbing the very foundations of international cooperation in the Baltic Sea re -gion and beyond. I would also like to thank Ms Liz Mattsson and Mr Jesper Josefsson from the Åland Is -lands, Mr Kolbeinn Óttarsson Proppé from Iceland, and Mr Jarosław Wałęsa from Poland, who have at dif -ferent times served as the Working Group’s Vice Chairs. My deepest thanks also go to the Parliament ofSweden, the State Parliament of Schleswig-Holstein, the Parliament of Åland, the State Parliament ofMecklenburg-Vorpommern, the Parliament of Norway, and the Polish Sejm for organising and hosting therespective Working Group meetings all around the Baltic Sea region.Furthermore, I would like to thank our experts, who have shared their unique perspectives on climatechange adaptation and mitigation as well as biodiversity protection in the region. These insights haveprovided the most fertile ground for informed, intensive and consensus-oriented discussions and de -liberations at our meetings. I would finally like to thank all Working Group members for their in -sightful and thought-provoking contributions, constructive and result-oriented suggestions, and theoverall collaborative working atmosphere.In the past three years, we have learned a lot – from our guests and from each other. But the most dif -ficult and important task, i.e. ensuring the implementation of targeted measures, is still ahead of us.There is no time to waste; the health of the Baltic Sea environment is our common responsibility andits protection is our duty to future generations.Philipp da CunhaMember of the Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernChairman of the Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity6BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportExecutive SummaryThe BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (WG CCB) was launched at the29th Digital Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on 24 August 2020. The primary outcome of thegroup’s work consists of political recommendations on climate change and biodiversity.Climate change is a global phenomenon that needs to be tackled using international cooperation andmutual agreements. Still, it also requires finding sustainable solutions at regional level and local levels.Learning from leading experts and researchers of the Baltic Sea Region and from each other and bystudying best practice examples of successful projects can contribute positively to this most challeng -ing task of our time and the future decades to mitigate and counteracting climate change’s effects andpreserving biodiversity.When the Working Group was established, it was decided to focus on the environmental aspect of cli -mate change and biodiversity and innovation, technology and best practices. The WG members ex -pected to meet each other in person and study interesting projects on location, but this was not pos -sible due to the COVID-19 pandemic for a long time. The Working Group, therefore, held duringthe first period of its work digital meetings. But also there, the WG had been given valuable knowl -edge about the present situation concerning climate change, the status of the Baltic Sea, and concreteprojects intended to improve the environment in the sea and on land.For example, the WG learned about the Swedish projects “Living Coast – Regaining good ecologicalstatus in coastal areas” and “ElectriVillage”, a solar-powered hydrogen refuelling station in Mariestad.The working group has also learned about sustainable and environmentally friendly fishing in Icelandand a local project in the Åland Islands to strengthen biological diversity in the sea. HELCOM in -formed about the status of the work on the new Baltic Sea Action Plan and presented the ClimateChange Fact Sheet produced by HELCOM and the Baltic Earth network.The details of this first phase of the WG’s work were comprehensively documented in an initial reportto the 30th BSPC in the summer of 2021:https://www.bspc.net/bspc_climate-change-and-biodiversityt/Regarding climate change and biodiversity, it was most important for the WG to include the perspec -tive of young people. As part of this ambition, a Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum has been ar -ranged two times back-to-back to the 30th and 31st BSPCs. The participants were encouraged to giverecommendations to be presented at the Annual Conferences and to the Working Group. The WGhad discussed these recommendations with the young representatives of the Baltic Sea ParliamentaryYouth Forum and considered them in its further work. And - and this was and is the difference frommany other youth conferences – the BSPC WG CCB included them in its different calls for action.In that way, the recommendations of the young generation got part of the BSPC’s resolutions. Theywere included in the calls for action of the parliaments to the governments of the Baltic Sea Region.In October 2021, the working group discussed with experts from Schleswig-Holstein and the BalticSea Parliamentary Youth Forum the importance of collaboration in the Baltic Sea region on climate7BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Reportchange. The German federal state of Schleswig-Holstein informed that the state had acquired 40,000hectares of peatland since 1978, providing refuge for endangered species. Rewetting efforts to seques -ter CO2 made traditional agriculture impossible, but animal farming, biochar production for textiles,or green hydrogen could occur. Green infrastructure and environmental education were also empha -sized, as was fair compensation for farmers. Seagrass, salt marsh, and mangroves have the potential forcarbon sequestration. The price is offset by additional benefits such as cleaner water, coastal protec -tion, increased biodiversity, and secure fisheries yields. Highlighted was also the Baltic Health Indexon the socio-ecological status of the Baltic Sea.Usually, the Working Groups within the BSPC have a two-year mandate. Because of the COVID-19pandemic, the group members could not meet each other in person until the end of 2021. Therefore,the Working Group ́s mandate has been extended until the 32nd BSPC 2023. During the recent twoyears, the WG had several opportunities to study best practice examples on-site, met on the Åland Is -lands, in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern/ Germany, in the polar region in Norway and Gdańsk/Polandand could, in that way, increase the quality and outcome of its work by including insights from dif -ferent regional situations and perspectives.In May 2022, the working group visited the Åland Islands to learn about their efforts towards a fullysustainable society. They discussed the Smart Energy Åland project, which aims for a society run on100% renewable energy. The project includes three sub-projects: an energy island community, aplanned hydrogen-powered ferry, and an abandoned mine as a hydro energy storage facility. The gov -ernment of Åland is also implementing the Sunnanvind project, which aims to establish large-scaleoffshore wind farms with a 30-35-year lifetime. Habitability is a concept developed on the far-off is -land of Kökar, which considers factors such as place identity, ecosystems, fresh water, energy, localeconomy, public service, and population growth. The long-term project, Bärkraft, aims to becomefully sustainable by 2051. The Working Group also visited a Wetland for increased biodiversity andclimate-adapted stormwater management as part of Mariehamn’s environmental programme.The meeting in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in August 2022 was split into two days: the first day inSchwerin and the second day in the Schaalsee biosphere reserve. The negotiations included expertpresentations on forests, the sea, energy, and peatland. Youth representatives presented recommenda -tions on carbon sequestration, renewable energy sources, resilient cities and oceans, and curbing nu -trient influx. Presentations on forests discussed eco-certificates, the importance of peatlands, and theneed for diversification in tree species. The presentations on energy covered hydrogen storage, off -shore wind power, and sector coupling. The working group also visited a battery factory. The presenta -tions on peatland highlighted the importance of peatland restoration and the benefits of functionalpeatlands as carbon sinks. The meeting also included discussions on alternative land uses for degrad -ed peatland and the cultivation of medicinal plants through paludiculture.In March 2023, the working group assembled in T romsø, Norway, dealing with expert presentationsand the newest research results about the dramatic effects of climate change in the Arctic and its im -pact on biodiversity, with consequences for the entire planet. The Norwegian Polar Institute present -ed the institute’s research on climate change, biodiversity, glaciers, and oceanography. The Institute ofMarine Research highlighted the shrinking Arctic species populations and the need for a holistic un -derstanding of the ecosystem. The Arctic Council Secretariat explained the workings of the ArcticCouncil and its involvement in various themes related to the Arctic, presented the Arctic Monitoring8BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Reportand Assessment Programme and informed about the council’s efforts to involve young people in theregion. A guided Polaria tour opened a deep insight into the Arctic environment. And a presentationat the Polar Museum was an impressive experience on the region’s cultural heritage.The working group met in May 2023 for the final time in Gdańsk, Poland, to complete its intensivethree-year-long work. Once more, the group listened to and discussed three expert presentations, twoon nuclear power as part of the Polish strategy of transitioning away from fossil fuels and towardslow-carbon energy systems and one on the Slovinski National Park and Biosphere Reserve and thecollaboration between biosphere reserves in the Baltic Sea region. The participants also intensively ne -gotiated, as a long work’s worthwhile outcome, the working group’s final recommendations for the2023 BSPC resolution. The calls found unanimous approval.This Final Report is an overview of the WG’s work results. The primary focus is on the results of itsmeetings, the scientifical input and the political recommendations, which were elaborated during thesessions and were forwarded to the 30th Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference on 30 August 2021, the31st BSPC on 12-14 June 2022 in Stockholm and to the 32nd BSPC from 27-29 August 2023 inBerlin.As the working group’s recommendations for action were incorporated into the resolution in theBSPC, the governments in the Baltic Sea region were also called upon to comment on the implemen -tation of the corresponding calls for action in the following year. This was done in detail in each case.In addition, before Russia’s brutal and illegal invasion of Ukraine, the Working Group sent a compre -hensive list of questions to the governments in the Baltic Sea region on the implementation of meas -ures regarding climate and biodiversity. The governments responded in detail to each of these. Afterthe start of the Russian war of aggression on Ukraine and the actions taken and adopted in this regardby all member countries of the BSPC about the war and its effects, the BSPC, on the recommenda -tion of the working group, addressed the question to the governments on the extent to which the re -sponses to the war have influenced and are influencing the policies and measures concerning climateand biodiversity. The governments commented on each of these as well. The Baltic Sea Region gov -ernment statements on these questions provide a unique overview of climate and biodiversity actionsin each of the countries in the Democratic Baltic Sea Region.The BSPC working group has continued to focus on climate and biodiversity issues during the wavesof crises, which were also triggered in the Baltic Sea region by the COVID-19 pandemic and Russia’sillegal war of aggression on Ukraine and its consequences.After fundamental discussions about the future work of the BSPC because of the unjustified invasionof Russia into Ukraine, the WG continued its intensive work with several in-person meetings.The working group’s main concern was to ensure that the implementation of further adequate andfar-reaching measures relating to climate and biodiversity would be addressed due to the far-reachingdefensive measures against the crises and their consequences, which stretched budgets to the limit.9BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportIn 2021 the WG’s recommendations called on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region to take signifi -cant steps in line with the UN Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement, and the Baltic 2030 Action Plan to re -duce emissions and achieve climate resilience in vital economic sectors. The recommendations also em -phasised the need to reduce nutrient influx into the Baltic Sea and support the development of technol -ogy and innovations to reduce eutrophication. They also urged further actions to reduce ship emissions,invest in green hydrogen technologies, and cooperate on risk assessment and coastal protection measuresdue to rising sea levels. The recommendations also addressed the impacts of increased shipping andcruise-ship tourism on climate change and biodiversity loss in the Baltic Sea. They emphasised the needfor global action and cross-border cooperation to mitigate emissions, promote the transition of ships tosustainable renewable fuels, reduce black carbon ship emissions, support the development of technologyand innovations, prevent harmful aquatic organisms and pathogens in ballast water, and aimed to im -prove and preserve the marine and land-based environment and ecosystems in the Baltic Sea.In 2022 further far-reaching measures were considered necessary: These include supporting the update of theBaltic Sea Action Plan and its action documents, implementing additional steps from the ‘HELCOM 2021Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet’, intensifying efforts to limit temperature rise to less than 2° bythe end of the century, promoting zero-emission energies, and boosting research and development of low car -bon solutions. The region should also strengthen efforts to recover and neutralise explosive ordnance in theBaltic Sea, implement nature-friendly farming methods, support sustainable green energy, develop policiesand regulations around fishing and other industries that harm biodiversity, promote the building of facilitiesfrom recycled materials, and promote communication about the impact of individual actions. These recom -mendations aim to achieve good ecological status for the Baltic Sea and its environment by the decade’s end.The core of the outcome of the working group’s work is 25 far-reaching and ambitious recommenda -tions for action on climate and biodiversity, which were unanimously agreed upon at the group’s finalmeeting in Gdansk in May this year and have been incorporated into the 32nd BSPC draft resolutionto be adopted at the annual conference on 29 August 2023 in Berlin.The recommendations call on the governments in the Baltic Sea Region to increase efforts in imple -menting ambitious national climate targets, strengthen regional collaboration, encourage renewableenergy development, and focus on transitioning from fossil fuels to low-carbon energy systems. Theyalso underline the need to urge the world’s three largest CO2 emitters to step up their efforts toachieve ambitious climate targets, incentivise renewable energy development, and address the risks as -sociated with increasing dependence on rare metal suppliers.The WG also urges the implementation of coastal management plans to protect and restore coastalecosystems, support research and innovation in climate change mitigation and adaptation technolo -gies and promote cross-border cooperation on regional climate initiatives. Annual Baltic Sea Climateand Biodiversity Summits are convened to raise public awareness, track progress, share best practices,and refine regional climate action and adaptation strategies.The WG additionally emphasises halting and reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 while ensuring inclu -sive, socially, and environmentally sustainable economic growth and development. The Kun -ming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) must be fully implemented, and the regionshould contribute to the rapid entry into force of the international legally binding instrument on theconservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity.10BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe Baltic Sea Action Plan and its associated action documents should be implemented quickly andstrictly to achieve good ecological status by the decade’s end. Regional strategies should be developedto deal with transboundary emergencies caused by climate change and pollution, including forestfires, eutrophication, and spreading pathogens.Based on intensive consultations and discussions with relevant experts, the recommendations for ac -tion also address regional cooperation and information exchange between the democratic Baltic Seastates and the Arctic to intensify joint strategies and policies to deal with climate change. Also, ex -panding the existing network of marine protected areas (MPAs), conserving carbon-rich ecosystemssuch as forests, wetlands and natural rivers, and measures to reverse land degradation are vital in thecalls for action.The report furthermore provides examples of best practices in climate change and biodiversity fromthe Baltic States, Estonia, and Lithuania. The Baltic States emphasise regional cooperation and sup -port for clean environments, biodiversity protection, and climate change mitigation. They have im -plemented projects such as integrating climate change policy in sectorial and regional policies, inno -vation in forestry biomass residue processing, and peat restoration. Estonia has focused on restoringhabitats, swamps, and drained peatlands and promoting sustainable management of wooded mead -ows. Lithuania has implemented projects on climate change mitigation in nutrient-rich organic soilsand cooperation on greenhouse gas inventory. These examples demonstrate efforts to address climatechange and protect biodiversity in the respective countries.The work of the working group was additionally flanked by the fact that the BSPC Standing Com -mittee, in some of its meetings, deepened the main themes of its WG with experts. The respective re -sults have also been incorporated into the further work of the working group.The recommendations also address the most recent international developments and agreements in theseareas, which have recently been adopted after many years of negotiations at the international level.The urgency of further, consistent and comprehensive measures in these areas was again clearly em -phasised by the experts during the recent discussions in the BSPC:Crucial aspects to be considered overall are:It is easy to destroy but extremely hard to recover. It takes not just a few years but many decades orcenturies to restore the natural state necessary for a genuinely healthy ecosystem. It is a fundamentaltask for decision-makers to take with them that protection is crucial. There is no short-term use whichcould be excused when looking at a long-term ecosystem – because recovery was such a long and chal -lenging process. It is essential to keep in mind that short-term events have long-term effects.Remaining scientific unknowns cannot be a reason not to act. One could not wait until all the scien -tific results had come in before moving towards protecting the oceans and making sustainable use ofthem and the Earth in total. One should always strive to do better. There would be mistakes in pre -dictions, in the actions taken, and hard work being done to understand things better. However, oneshould not shy away from doing the right thing at the right time – and that was now.11BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThis fundamental conviction shapes the working group’s recommendations for action.This report should thus be considered a strategic summary of BSPC WG CCB’s work.----Mainly because some members of the working group left their parliaments, changes in the composi -tion of the chairmanship were necessary. The WG’s chairmanship was conceded from Ms Cecilie Ten -fjord-Toftby, Sweden, to Mr Philipp da Cunha, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, at the end of September2022. Vice-chairs at the beginning were Ms Liz Mattsson from the Åland Islands and Mr KolbeinnÓttarsson Proppé from Iceland. In the final phase of the WG work, Mr Jesper Josefsson from theÅland Islands and Mr Jarosław Wałęsa from Poland were Vice-Chairs of the WG.Deeper insights about the working group’s activities are presented in this final report, with furtherlinks to detailed information about the meetings of the WG and all expert presentations.12BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportFinal ReportBSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (BSPC WG CCB)The overarching objective of the Working Group was to elaborate political positions and recommen -dations pertaining to climate change and biodiversity.The Working Group and its members should furthermore – according to their mandate determinedby the Standing Committee of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference - aimed at raising political at -tention on Climate Change and Biodiversity and contribute to the exchange of knowledge and bestpractices within its area of responsibility.For this purpose, the Working Group established and maintained contacts with relevant institutions,organisations and other actors in the Baltic Sea Region, helped to drive cooperation in the Baltic SeaRegion actively and followed and influenced political initiatives.1. PurposeThe purpose of this report is to present a set of political recommendations from the BSPC WorkingGroup on Climate Change and Biodiversity (WG CCB) to the 32nd BSPC. This is pursuant to themandate of the WG.The report also gives a cursory account of challenges that the WG has discussed with many experts.2. MandateThe BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (WG CCB) was established - basedon a corresponding decision of the BSPC Standing Committee - by the Digital Baltic Sea Parliamen -tary Conference on 24 August 2020 at its 29th annual conference.13BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe resolution points out that the group has the task to submit a first report at the 30th BSPC – with particular fo -cus on the need for joint and cross-border cooperation –, concerning enhanced solutions to preserve the biodiversityinherent to the entire Baltic Sea region and to mitigate the effects of climate change with special emphasis on• the state of policies and strategies concerning climate change and• biodiversity in the Baltic Sea region;• best practices in addressing the interlinked challenges of biodiversity and• climate change with a specific focus on the Baltic Sea;• innovations and measures to tackle climate change and preserve biodiversity;• climate change adaptation and challenges for science, technology and the Economy;• ensuring efficient and environment-friendly transport and energy supply solutionsAccording to the resolution, the working group shall concentrate its attention on the environmental sideof climate change and biodiversity as well as on innovation, technology and further economic aspects.3. Scope of Work – Programme and Work inProgressIn accordance with this decision, the WG CCB agreed on the followingScope of Work - Topics, Themes and PrioritiesGlobal climate change and related challenges are central policy areas in many countries. The Paris Agree -ment, national and multinational strategies and fundamentally changed public awareness set the frame -work for far-reaching measures that will profoundly impact the future development of many countries.It is the task of this Working Group to support this process by means of optimised parliamentary co -operation to achieve the most far-reaching and rapid progress possible in meeting these challenges inthe entire Baltic Sea region.More intensive cooperation, also at the parliamentary level, can and should further strengthen currentefforts in individual countries and international bodies and optimise the basis for necessary decisionsin the Baltic Sea region.The Nordic Council Session in Stockholm focused on climate change and the Nordic Council’s Com -mittee for a Sustainable Nordic Region is working intensively with this issue.The Baltic Assembly has also announced that climate change is among its priorities for the next year.Furthermore, the issue is in line with the latest ambitious goals in the EU and beyond.The European Commission recently presented its long-term strategic vision for a prosperous, modern,competitive and climate-neutral economy by 2050. Following the invitations of the European14BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportParliament and the European Council, the Commission’s vision for a climate-neutral future coversnearly all EU policies. It is in line with the Paris Agreement objective to keep the global temperatureincrease to well below 2°C and pursue efforts to limit it to 1.5°C.In light of the implementation of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development with a focus on bi -odiversity (SDG15), climate (SDG13) and oceans (SDG14), the UN Decade of Ocean Science forSustainable Development and the 2020 UN Biodiversity Conference in Kunming, China, on 17-30May 2021, the issue of climate change and biodiversity are of utmost importance. The WG shouldconsider the conclusions of the UN Biodiversity Conference and the post-2020 global biodiversityframework in its work.The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) has been closely focussing onissues of both biodiversity and climate change as well as its impact on the marine environment of theBaltic Sea region specifically and has stressed the importance of recognising climate change as across-cutting topic within the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP). In addition, the HELCOMExpert Network on Climate Change (EN CLIME) is preparing the Climate Change Fact Sheet finalreport to be adopted in 2021. Moreover, both biodiversity and climate change are featured as a prom -inent issue area within the currently developed HELCOM Science Agenda. Given the intensive workand accumulated HELCOM expertise on these topics, the WG should also closely follow the climatechange- and biodiversity-related work conducted within relevant HELCOM bodies and continue thelong-standing tradition of cooperation and exchange between the BSPC and HELCOM.The goal of the WG should be to create closer cooperation in this field and to facilitate far-reachingdecisions through parliamentary support in the whole Baltic Sea region.In doing so, the WG will focus its framework, topics, themes and priorities on Climate Change andBiodiversity mainly on regional aspects of the Baltic Sea region.The scope of work of the Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity should cover, butnot be limited to, the following main items:A. Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea region –an analysis of the current situationClimate change and biodiversity policies differ in the various countries of the Baltic Sea region. In or -der to find a common platform for deliberations on common activities, the working group needs toelaborate a common framework for discussion by collecting and discussing information about thecurrent situation in the Baltic Sea region countries, and how climate change has affected biodiversityand climate change policies in the region.B. limate Change and Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea region - best practice examplesThe WG should, through e.g. expert presentations, study visits and questionnaires, collect and com -pile examples of best practices and measures, as well as follow and influence political initiatives.It is commonly assumed that climate change and biodiversity are interconnected. Climate change is15BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Reportaffecting species, ecosystems and biodiversity while biodiversity plays a role in reducing the negativeeffects of climate change. The WG should cover different perspectives of climate change and biodiver -sity, as well as the impact on land-based and marine ecosystems.The aim is to get an overview of the state of current policies in the Baltic Sea region and to identifywhere common action is possible and further action is needed. This will form one part of the basis forthe political recommendations of the WG. It should also be examined how the BSR countries couldbenefit from the experiences of other countries and measures.C. Climate Change and Biodiversity in the Baltic Sea region –innovations and measures to deal with climate change,biodiversity and climate change adaptationThe WG should, by means of e.g. expert presentations, study visits and questionnaires, collect andcompile examples of measures to promote common progress in reaching the set goals concerning cli -mate change and biodiversity and how to deal with the challenges of climate change, biodiversity andclimate change adaptation.The aim is to identify measures that have been undertaken, to assess achievements and to study inno -vative solutions for dealing with the impact of climate change on science, technology and the econo -my. This will also serve to identify gaps and any need for further measures.The results of this process will form another part of the basis for the political recommendations of theWG. The WG should further help to actively drive cooperation and develop recommendations to im -prove collaboration and exchange of information between Baltic Sea countries in matters related toclimate change, biodiversity and climate change adaptation between various authorities, organisationsand other operators.D. Climate Change and Biodiversity - political recommendationsThe primary outcome of the activities of the WG is to elaborate joint political recommendations tospeed up and specify measures concerning climate change and biodiversity. The political recommen -dations should be based on an assessment of the specific role and added value that the parliamentari -ans can contribute to the promotion of these policy fields in their countries. The political recommen -dations constitute a manifestation of the joint political push that parliamentarians of the BSPC canexert on the governments of the Baltic Sea region.16BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4. Working Group Meetings4.1 16 November 2020, DigitalThe BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity held its first meeting on 16 Novem -ber 2020 in a digital venue, due to the coronavirus restrictions established at the time. Chaired by MsCecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, Chairwoman of the working group, expert presentations focused on then-re -cent conferences, the Baltic Sea ecosystem and its resilience to climate change as well as a Swedish bestpractice example for sustainable development.17BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMr Jan Terstad, the Deputy Director General in the Swedish Ministry of the Environment, responsi -ble for the Division for Natural Environment, related that the recent “Our Baltic” conference had dis -cussed the challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, such as the pressure from fisheries and the input of pol -lutants, litter, and contaminants.Aiming to boost intersectoral management and commitment to the existing goals, a Ministerial Dec -laration had been signed. The UN Biodiversity Summit had addressed biodiversity loss and opportu -nities to counteract said loss, also launching an online platform “Voices for Nature”. Mr Terstad sawthis summit as a good sign. Prof Christoph Humborg, Scientific Director of the Stockholm Universi -ty Baltic Sea Centre, explained that the Baltic Sea was unique, with an extremely long-term water ex -change and low salinity. This made Baltic species sensitive and susceptible to nutrification and climatechange. Moreover, eutrophication was causing algal blooms and dead organic material gathering atthe bottom of the sea, emitting the powerful greenhouse gas methane. Amelioration efforts shouldprotect coastal areas, decrease the nutrient influx into the ocean, and restore carbon-rich ecosystems,such as seaweeds. Prof Humborg highlighted the reduction of nitrogen and phosphorus contaminatesin the Baltic Sea due to the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan.OurBaltic Conference and BiodiversitySummit –outcome from tworecentconferencesMinistry of the Environment 1Jan TerstadDeputy Director General, Ministry of the Environment,Division for Natural EnvironmentClimate effects in the Baltic SeaLinks between biodiversity andcarbon sequestrationFrom victim to solutionChristoph Humborg18BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMs Susanné Wallner, Development Strategist from the Mariestad Municipality, explained that Elec -triVillage in the biosphere reserve in Mariestad, Sweden, was a unique approach to sustainable trans -port solutions and energy systems.Their practice tests had been immersed in the real-life environment of the city and municipal opera -tions, also tackling logistics, purchasing, and business development. She emphasised the necessity ofcommitment by all parts of society.Professor Michael Tjernström, Dept. Meteorology, Bolin Centre for Climate Research at StockholmUniversity, noted the uneven distribution of climate change, with faster temperature rises the furthersouth or north one went.Model area of Sustainabilitydesignated by the UNESCOMariestadModel area of Sustainabilitydesignated by the UNESCOGlobal warming and the Baltic:Is there anything that can be done?Michael TjernströmDepartment of Meteorology & Bolin Centre for Climate Research,Stockholm university19BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe Arctic was the fastest-heating region, but differences between north and south were also presentin the Baltic Sea. Especially the loss of sea ice would strongly affect rising sea levels and contribute toextreme weather conditions. Greenhouse gases were the only suitable explanation. Prof Tjernströmcautioned that the temperature rise had to be kept between 3 and 6 °C; otherwise, the Arctic icewould disappear by 2050, the sea level could rise by one metre, snowfall during the winter would bereduced, thus causing water supply problems.More details and expert presentations are published here.4.2 15 March 2021, DigitalUnder the chairmanship of Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby, the second meeting on 15 March 2021 con -cerned HELCOM’s efforts to restore a good ecological status to the Baltic Sea as well as best practiceexamples in coastal regions, small islands, and fishing around Iceland.20BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMr Rüdiger Strempel, HELCOM Executive Secretary, explained the organisation’s fundamental tasksof monitoring the environment along with thematic and holistic assessments.The Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) was a central tool that was being overhauled at that time to reflectthat its goals had not been met and new challenges, such as marine litter or underwater noise joiningthe established hurdles of eutrophication in particular. Related processes accompanied the BSAP toachieve the overall goal of a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea. Ms Jannica Haldin, HELCOMProfessional Secretary, presented the Climate Change Fact Sheet produced by HELCOM togetherwith the Baltic Earth network.HELCOM & Baltic Sea Action Planin briefBy Rüdiger StrempelExecutive Secretary of HELCOMWWoorrkkiinngg GGrroouupp CCCCBB ––BSPC15 March 2021By Jannica Haldin , HELCOMTuesday, July 27, 2021Climate Change and the Baltic Sea21BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe Fact Sheet served as an easily accessible report on 34 parameters in a science-driven consensus view,such as air temperature, sea level, and precipitation. These in turn altered secondary parameters, amongthem oxygen levels as well as various marine fauna. She highlighted the interconnectedness of diverse driv -ers and the key messages on climate change. As for the present state of the Baltic Sea, food webs had alreadybeen affected, nutrient circulation was changing, algal blooms were increasing. Especially eutrophicationhad to be reduced by lowering nutrient loads from agricultural practices. Ms Linda Kumblad, AssociateProfessor in Systems Ecology at Stockholm University, was the Project Leader of Living Coast, a full-scaleremediation project on areas severely affected by eutrophication and with limited water exchange.The Björnöfjärden bay in the Stockholm archipelago served as a miniature version of the Baltic Sea;here, Living Coast had implemented measures to reduce inputs from agriculture and horse keeping butalso to improve local sewage systems as well as increasing phosphorus sequestration in the sediment.Over 10 years, phosphorus loads had been reduced by ca. 70 %. Improvement of the environmental sta -tus of coastal areas was possible, given time, patience, resources and involving the local community.Ms Patricia Wiklund, Project Manager, CEO of Invenire, presented a very small-scale, communi -ty-led project in the tiny island group Brändö, Sweden. Common reed had overgrown both land andsea areas, affecting both sets of fauna.Regaining good ecological status incoastal areas –is that possible?Linda Kumblad & Emil RydinBaltic Sea Center, Stockholm UniversityHow can wecreate impact &bring the wowfactor intosustainable, local& engagingsmall-scale pilotprojects?PATRICIAWIKLUNDCEO,www.invenire.fi22BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportBy repeatedly harvesting the reeds and recycling them as ground cover in greenhouses and fertiliser inthe spring, water pathways and canals had been restored, improving fish habitats, while overgrownmeadows had been returned to cow pasture as well as game feed. In her view, the local communityhad to be at the heart of the efforts, appreciating what was to be achieved.Ms Gréta María Grétarsdóttir, Managing Director of Innovation, Social Responsibility and InvestorRelations at the Seafood Company Brim in Iceland, stressed the importance of the environment forher company.The primary impact of the fishing industry on water was oil use in boat engines. Since ships on aver -age lasted 30 years, long-term investments took 10 – 15 years to bear fruit. Brim had cut its oil use byhalf since 2005, also because better management had reduced fishing trips. Smaller boats would beswitched to hybrid engines soon; she saw hydrogen fuel cells as the engine technology of the fisheries’future. A holistic assessment of the carbon footprint was achieved through Brim’s real-time data col -lection system on environmental effects of the vessels and land-based operations, continually refiningand innovating measures.More details and the expert presentations are published here.BSPC meeting15th of March 2021THE ROAD TO SUSTAINABLE AND ENVIRONMENTALLY FRIENDLY FISHINGCASE STUDY OF BRIM23BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4.3 04 October 2021, DigitalMeeting for the last time in digital form, Chairwoman Tenfjord-Toftby welcomed the working groupto hear presentations on biological carbon sequestration and innovative shipping technologies. TheGerman federal state of Schleswig-Holstein had organised the expert participants. Representativesfrom the recent Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum explained their recommendations.24BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMr Jan Philipp Albrecht, State Minister for Energy, Agriculture, the Environment, Nature and Digi -talization of Schleswig-Holstein, spoke about collaboration in the Baltic Sea region on climate change,praising the BSPC as essential in bringing people together and getting the necessary tasks done. DrWalter Hemmerling, Managing Director, Foundation for Nature Conservation Schleswig Holstein(SNSH), noted that 40,000 hectares had been acquired by the foundation since 1978, providing ref -uge for endangered species. Peatland – 9 % of the state’s whole area – was a particular focus as mostof it had been drained, turning it into a carbon emitter.Rewetting efforts to sequester CO2 made traditional agriculture impossible, though animal farming andbiochar production for textiles or green hydrogen could take their place. Green infrastructure and environ -mental education were further focused upon, as was the necessity of fair compensation for farmers.Dr Wilfried Rickels, Director Global Commons and Climate Policy, Kiel Institute for the WorldEconomy, spoke about the potential of seagrass, saltmarsh and mangroves for carbon sequestration.25BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportExpensive as resettling seagrass meadows was, the price was offset by additional benefits, such as clean -er water, coastal protection, increased biodiversity, and secure fisheries yields. He stressed that such ef -forts had to be embedded into marine and maritime strategy to mitigate other stressors as well, such aseutrophication. He highlighted the Baltic Health Index on the socio-ecological status of the Baltic Sea.Mr Jens-Birger Bosse, Head of the Department of Organic Production, Schleswig-Holstein State For -ests, explained that his organisation was balancing economic forest management with protective andrecreational functions.A major difficulty in responding to climate change – e.g., beech trees succumbing to present temper -ature changes – was the slow growth of trees, such that effects had to be measured in 100 or 200 years.Threats to forests came from fungal diseases, parasitic species but also fires and storms. Diversificationof forests ameliorated risks, reinforced resilience by e.g., combining native with non-native species aswell as planted with seeded trees.Dr Alexander Dyck, Institute for Maritime Energy Systems in Geesthacht, spoke about carbon emis -sions from shipping.26BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportResponsible for ca. 3 % of global emissions, alternative energy supplies were crucial in achieving en -tirely green shipping. This entailed a holistic approach combining ships and harbours. New ship de -signs and infrastructure systems would be necessary to incorporate alternative fuels, such as hydrogen,metal hydrides or batteries. Especially long-term travel was problematic. The implementation ofstandards and regulations was inevitable and had to happen soon since new vessels wouldh ave to runon alternative fuels from 2030 at the latest.T wo representatives from the most recent Baltic Sea Parliamentary Youth Forum, Ms Kamila Ciokfrom Poland and Mr Liviu Pintilie from Estonia, presented the forum’s recommendations. These in -cluded the phase-out of synthetic pesticides and fertilisers, close collaboration between science andpolitics, a stronger use of recycled materials in construction, and the reduction of waste. They high -lighted that people at the lower levels, such as fishermen, had to be involved, not least to inform pol -itics about the practical aspects.More details and the expert presentations are published here.27BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4.4 09 – 10 May 2022, MariehamnMeeting for the first time in person, the working group under the chairmanship of Ms Cecilie Ten -fjord-Toftby learned on the first day about the Åland islands’ efforts towards a fully sustainable socie -ty, such as offshore wind parks, solar power plants, and a new concept for island sustainability. Thisvisit also coincided with the host region celebrating 100 years of autonomy.28BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMr Berndt Schalin, CEO of Flexens Ltd, explained that his company – a public-private partnership– was implementing the project Smart Energy Åland which targeted a society run on 100 % renewa -ble energy. He listed three sub-projects, one about an energy island community, a planned hydro -gen-powered ferry, and an abandoned mine as a hydro energy storage facility. Usage determined tech -nology, he underlined: If e.g., the end use was heat – such as predominated in Åland –, heat storagewas best.Although hydrogen looked feasible for long-duration use, such as ferries, he noted the poor energy con -version. Still, the Baltic Sea was a very good place for hydrogen production through e.g., offshore wind.Mr Ralf Häggblom, Department of Infrastructure in the government of Åland, introduced the pro -ject Sunnanvind (Sea-based Wind Power), administrating the establishment of large-scale offshorewind farms.29BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportWhile the potential energy production was huge, the primary concern was how to get the power tosuitable markets in cost-efficient ways. The permission process was shared between Åland and Fin -land. The wind farms were planned to be built around 2030, with a 30-35-year lifetime. Mr ChristianPleijel introduced the habitability concept developed on the far-off island of Kökar, with EU funding.Since ordinary sustainability tools did not apply to tiny locations, especially island peculiarities, hab -itability was more suitable. This concept looked at what made people want to live on an island. Its in -dicators encompassed place identity, ecosystems, fresh water, energy, local economy, public service,and prosperous people. The final – and most important – consideration was whether the populationwas growing. Ms Petra Granholm and Mr Niklas Lampi spoke about the long-term project on fulfill -ing the sustainability targets on the islands, called Bärkraft.30BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportAiming to become fully sustainable no later than 2051, the Åland project pursued seven goals: Thefirst two concerned social sustainability, three and four the environment, the fifth attractiveness of theislands, the sixth climate change and energy efficiency, and the seventh sustainable and mindful pat -terns of consumption and production. The grassroots approach had been vital by communicating thegoals to the people from the start, also by bringing together people from diverse backgrounds, offer -ing fresh perspectives. Regarding climate change, carbon emissions in Åland had been going downsince 2005, with heating, road traffic, and commercial shipping still the major contributors. Furtherreductions were targeted in those areas. In biodiversity, Bärkraft focused on invasive species, the res -toration of locally lost species, and rewilding.On 10 May, the working group heard expert presentations on the Åland government’s efforts towardsa sustainable society and from the LEADER group about local action groups.Mr Alfons Röblom, Minister for Environment, Climate, Energy, Housing and Higher Education ofÅland, praised international cooperation in this field. As for eutrophication, he noted negotiationswith fish farms to find good solutions. The government had put great effort into communicating thebenefits of renewable energy, such as the planned offshore wind farms, which could produce hydro -gen, not least as a possible energy storage. Connecting the power grids of countries could be helpfulby distributing excess energy to regions needing it at that time.Ms Alexandra de Haas explained that her group was part of LEADER, an EU-funded method forgrassroot links between activities for the development of rural economy.31BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThrough partnerships and networks, the local needs were analysed from the local perspective to de -sign a local development strategy for a seven-year period. Åland’s LEADER group, launched in 2007,encompassed one land- and one sea-based area. Until 2013, the focus had been mostly on village de -velopment and cultural heritage. After that, it had shifted to nature, the environment, and sustaina -bility. More than 120 local projects targeted increasing biodiversity, restoration efforts, or reducingeutrophication but also leisure areas. She cited examples such as urban farming, “slow tourism”, andpond or ditch building to trap water and thus nutrients from entering the ocean.The Working Group also visited a Wetland for increased biodiversity and climate-adapted stormwatermanagement as part of Mariehamn’s environmental programme ( information here ). Mr Ulf Simolin,Environmental Coordinator for the City of Mariehamn and Ms Linda Sundström gave detailed in -formation about the Wetland, the environmental programme and the goals that reduce the city’s en -vironmental impact on coastal waters, beaches and watercourses and discussed the results with theworking group members.More details and the expert presentations are published here and here.32BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4.5 29 – 30 August 2022, SchwerinThe meeting in the German federal state of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern was split into two days, thefirst in the capital of Schwerin, the second in the Schaalsee biosphere reserve. The working group alsovisited a battery factory.Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby chaired her final meeting before leaving parliament. The expert presenta -tions across both days dealt with forests and the sea, energy, and peatland but also the recent BalticSea Parliamentary Youth Forum.Co-organiser Ms Aline Mayr from the CBSS Secretariat praised the integration of young people intopolicymaking. The youth representatives Mr Andreas Schoop from Germany and Ms Simona Jakaitėfrom Lithuania presented the forum’s recommendations, such as carbon sequestration through resto -ration of forests and wetlands, investing in innovative and renewable energy sources as well as the cir -cular economy. They also called for resilient cities – green, more affordable, healthier, and allowingfree movement – as well as resilient seas and coastlines, curbing nutrient influx.33BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe section on forests and the sea began with Dr Sandra Kleine, Ministry for Climate Protection, Ag -riculture, Rural Areas and the Environment of Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, who explained her state’sscheme of eco-certificates to translate ecosystem services into economic value.This allowed rural areas to funnel in urban money for their ecosystem services. She highlighted func -tional peatlands as the most powerful terrestrial carbon storage, yet drained peatlands were green -house gas emitters. In the rewetting efforts, the land had been bought from farmers.Mr Marcus Kühling, Team Leader, Competence and Information Centre Forest and Wood, Agencyfor Renewable Resources, noted Germany as one of the most-forested countries in Europe, its peopleidentifying with the forest.34BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe low diversity of tree species lowered their resilience to climate change, exemplified by drought,windstorms, snow, and ice but also insect infestation as major threats. Federal aid had been providedto forest owners, along with research into e.g., diversification through new species like Douglas firsand redwoods or other forest management approaches. He stressed the wide range of ecosystem ser -vices provided by forests, including timber, water, biodiversity, and food.Prof Dr Uwe Freiherr von Lukas, Ocean Technology Campus Rostock (OTC), explained that thecampus was seeking to establish an innovation ecosystem bringing research scientists together withpoliticians and companies.35BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportAt its start, it was focusing on skill development to provide education both on the academic and prac -tical level. Another aspect was creating the necessary infrastructure and environment for companiesand other partners. The OTC concentrated on the sustainable use of the oceans through various pilotprojects in the Baltic Sea, through projects such as autonomous underwater vehicles or an intenselymonitored coastal area as a Digital Ocean Lab.The presentations on energy began with Dr Peter Sponholz, CRO (APEX Group), who spoke about hy -drogen and hydrogen storage. APEX provided the machinery for the processes from energy source tousable hydrogen, including electrolyser, hydrogen storage and fuel cell systems or refuelling stations.36BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportAny kind of high-heat environment needed for production would end up using hydrogen. Hydrogenstorage, often overlooked, was a key technology. Compression allowed massive amounts of energy tobe stored. Regarding transport, he warned that hydrogen cars would not be viable.Mr Henrich Quick, Head of Offshore, 50Hertz T ransmission GmbH, outlined the exponentialgrowth in offshore wind power but also the drop of installation costs.37BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe German transmission system operator model was preferable in creating standardised connectionsoptimised not for the energy producers but recipients. The goal for 50Hertz was that 100 % of theenergy in their control zone, covering about 20 % of the German population, would be available fromrenewable energy sources in 2032.Mr Thomas Murche, Technical Director, WEMAG AG, remarked that sector coupling was indispen -sable for the German-wide plans to reach climate neutrality by 2045. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern in -tended to cover the entire energy demand via renewables by 2035.38BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportConsumption and generation were rarely perfectly matched, requiring new energy storage technolo -gies and quadrupling the installed renewable energy capacity.On peatland, Ms Anke Hollerbach, Head of Administration of the Biosphere Reserves Schaalsee and Elbe,said that the UNESCO programme encompassed 738 reserves worldwide, 18 of them in Germany.Biosphere reserves were required to re-confirm their status every 10 years. A dialogue with nature,poverty reduction, and human well-being were at the heart of the global approach. They had to fulfilthree functions: compiling natural diversity, economic development with social and environmentalsustainability as well as logistics support for research, monitoring, education, and training. The localreserves primarily dealt with peatland restoration, a difficult and long-term undertaking, requiringstudies on impacts to surrounding areas – including agriculture and forestry – and planning. Ms Hol -lerbach also stressed the importance of having experts on site, networked with the local population.Dr Franziska Tanneberger, landscape ecologist at Greifswald University, Director of the Gre -ifswald Mire Centre, stressed the benefits of functional – wet – peatlands as carbon sinks while thedrained bogs were major carbon emitters. After Indonesia, the EU was the second-largest emitter ofgreenhouse gases in the world in peatland emissions, with Germany leading.39BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe German government had assigned two billion euros for peatland protection, also considering es -tablishing a peatland rewetting authority. Aside from paludiculture – harvests from moors –, she fur -ther suggested alternative land uses, such as building solar panel installations on highly degraded peat -land. Dr Jenny Schulz, CEO, PaludiMed GmbH, was growing sundew – a medicinal plant for thetreatment of asthmatic bronchitis – as paludiculture within the biosphere reserve. Offering a habitatfor many species, paludiculture conserved and could even expand the peat layer. Sundew cultivationin other areas had proved unsuccessful or overly expensive, so she found her efforts promising to pro -vide a stable supply, countering the sundew imports from China with little active substances.More details and the expert presentations are published here.40BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4.6 20 March 2023, TromsøAfter Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-Toftby had left parliament, Mr Philipp da Cunha had been appointedchairman of the working group and welcomed the members to T romsø in Norway within the ArcticCircle for information on climate change and the Arctic.41BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMs Nalan Koc, Research Director, Norwegian Polar Institute, spoke about the century-long traditionof Norwegian Arctic and Antarctic research, with a wide array of research infrastructure at both theNorth and South Pole, including the class 3 icebreaker Kronprins Haakon and research stations. Allwere open to scientists from other countries to share. Among the Polar Institute’s multidisciplinary re -search, she highlighted climate change and monitoring, biodiversity, glaciers, and oceanography. Icecore data documenting the last 800,000 years showed the current levels of carbon dioxide as unprec -edented. Furthermore, “Arctic Amplification” showed the poles warming 3 – 4 times faster than therest of the globe.This led to accelerated loss of sea ice, changing patterns in weather and water distribution.42BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportDr Lis Lindal Jørgensen, Institute of Marine Research, noted the vast expanse and diversity of Nor -way’s ocean area, requiring an equally vast research network as well as innovative measures.Among the latter was searching fish trawl for evidence of benthic, deep-water bottom populations. Inthe high north, she stated that Arctic species populations were shrinking, being replaced by Atlanticspecies. Areas that had recently lost their ice shield were being investigated now. The Institute wasseeking to build a holistic understanding of how the ecosystem was functioning, using cross- andtrans-disciplinary approaches.The goal for Dr Jørgensen was a “weather forecast”, giving simple advice on how to act responsibly inthe environment.43BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMs Kristina Bär, Head of Communications, Arctic Council Secretariat, explained the workings of theArctic Council, bringing together the eight Arctic states with six organisations representing either oneor several indigenous peoples.Added to that were 38 observers. All were involved in the working groups on various themes, such asbiodiversity, sustainable development, or emergency prevention. The chairmanship rotated every twoyears at the ministerial meetings.Mr Rolf Rødven, Arctic Council, Executive Secretary for the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Pro -gramme, confirmed the Arctic Amplification effect, with rain replacing snow, the permafrost thawing,and the sea layers mixing more pronouncedly than before, disturbing nutrient and temperature flows.44BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportOcean acidification was increasing at an alarming rate, e.g., dissolving some sea snail shells and in -creasing the mortality of young cod. Thus, he called for strictly curbing fishing quotas. Mr Jens Toft,Arctic Council Secretariat, Project Coordinator on Youth Engagement, related the Arctic Council’sefforts to involve young people from their region, such as the Arctic Youth Network and various fel -lowships. Young people were to develop skills in biodiversity and other fields for application at home.One problem was that youths tended to move to more resilient, southern areas. A guided Polaria tourthrough the world’s most northerly aquarium opened a deep insight into the Arctic environment.Ms Anne Grete Johansen, the director of Polaria, provided insightful information about the Polariafuture plans . The WG also discussed international cooperation with similar institutions in this field.A guided tour with the director of the Polar Museum , Mr Geir Rudolfsen and a profound presenta -tion by Ms Vilde Ørsje Utby was an impressive experience on the on the history of Arctic explorationand the region’s cultural heritage.More details and the expert presentations are published here.45BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report4.7 15 May 2023, GdańskThe final meeting of the working group was held in Gdańsk, Poland. The members explored the longhistory of Baltic cooperation manifest in the city. Chaired by Mr Philipp da Cunha, two expert pres -entations dealt with nuclear energy and one with the Slovinski National Park and Biosphere Reserve.46BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportProfessor Dagmara Strumińska-Parulska, PhD, Assoc. Prof., Faculty of Chemistry, Laboratory of Tox -icology and Radiation Protection, University of Gdańsk, first explained the country’s plans to buildsix nuclear reactors until 2040 to allow Poland to become climate-neutral.Noting the various legal limits for radiation dosage, the professor explained the great range andamount of natural radiation found in water or food but also emitted as radon gas. She regretted thatthis rarely was reflected in the debate about the perceived danger of nuclear plants. Natural radiationshould be more concerning than man-made radiation. In particular, she spoke about the effects of theChernobyl disaster in 1986 on Poland which were far more marginal than originally expected.Prof Dr hab. Wacław Gudowski, National Centre for Nuclear Research – Świerk and Royal Instituteof Technology – KTH, Stockholm, Senior Advisor to Orlen Synthos Green Energy – OSGE, arguedfor nuclear power plants, in particular the small nuclear reactors (SMRs) Poland was interested in. Thecountry’s energy system was not only based primarily on coal but also aging so that most of the gen -erating units would have to be replaced in the near future.47BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportRenewable energies could not close the gap opened by this. Thus, nuclear power was necessary as it was high -ly efficient, and future reactors would allow 95 % of nuclear material to be recycled. Citing examples fromSweden, he dismissed concerns about long-term storage. He further stressed the safety mechanisms of the re -actors currently being designed which would prevent large-scale disasters along with faster constructiontimes, less space needed, and increasingly falling costs. He expected Poland to build the VWRX 300 modelof SMR around 2030. Prof Gudowski underlined that he saw nuclear energy as safe and inexpensive.Mr Grzegorz Kupczak, Slovinski National Park, said that the park had had the status of a biospherereserve since 1997.This had been called into question because it had met only the protective function demanded by theUNESCO-funded programme. As such, the park had worked hard, with the aid of stakeholders, to alsodevelop the functions of development and logistical support for science. Plans were ongoing to expandthe park, also into the Baltic Sea. Mr Kupczak noted the efforts to honour the culture and traditions ofthe Slovenian people for whom the park was named, establishing an open-air museum. He highlightedthe recently formed network Biosphere for Baltic, which brought together several biosphere reservesfrom around the Baltic Sea. Their joint efforts focused on educating about the effects of human activi -ties across rivers and deltas into the Baltic Sea as well as improving ocean literacy. He also discussed thedifferent interpretations of biosphere reserves in the various countries, such as Poland and Germany.More details and the expert presentations are published here.48BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report5. Intergovernmental SurveyThe BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) adopted on 4 October 2021an intergovernmental survey to inquire the Baltic Sea region governments about their efforts andplans regarding climate change and biodiversity. In the meantime – mostly during the spring 2022 -,11 governments have sent their statements and answers to their respective parliaments.The detailed questions concern general information on the measures and strategies on climate changeand biodiversity in the BSPC member states and regions, the legal basis of the measures and strategiesin the BSPC member states, specific areas and aspects such as maritime areas and protected zones, eu -trophication, sea-dumped munitions, efforts towards zero pollution, the economy, innovation, inter -national cooperation, adaptation and the involvement of citizens and stakeholders.Intergovernmental survey Adopted by the BSPC WG CCB on 4 October 2021The answers provide a deep and unique parallel insight into the relevant activities of the governmentsin the Baltic Sea Region.The statements of the governments can be downloaded here.49BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe Working Group saw a necessity to update the positions on the strategies and approaches since nu -merous energy policy measures are being initiated in the member countries because of the Ukrainewar, also affecting the respective climate policy strategies.Therefore, it was important to explore: To what extent do the war in Ukraine and related changes inpolitical priorities have an impact on climate policy goals and their implementation?Governments have commented on this mainly as part of their statements on this year’s BSPC resolu -tion (see chapter 8 of this report).50BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report6. Best practices – ExamplesOne of the purposes of the Working Group was to share best practices regarding Climate Change andBiodiversity.The experts who have participated in the working group meetings have also presented several best-prac -tice examples in their presentations. In this respect, reference is made to the corresponding remarkson the beforementioned presentations.This chapter presents some further examples of the best practices which delegations of the workinggroup have highlighted:The Baltic StatesThe Baltic States have expressed strong support for regional cooperation in order to maintain a cleanenvironment, protect biodiversity, as well as to mitigate climate change, and have been looking forfurther possibilities to increase this cooperation. The countries have also called for incentives to ensurea cost-effective, just, socially balanced, and fair implementation of climate targets. This is also provenby the fact that the Baltic States have welcomed the European Commission’s 2030 Climate TargetPlan and are fully committed to achieving a climate-neutral EU by 2050.One of the best practice examples of cooperation in the field of climate change and biodiversity includethe project “Integration of climate change policy in sectorial and regional policies” (LV-CLI -MATE-0001, funded under the Norwegian Financial Mechanism 2014-2021 Programme “ClimateChange Mitigation, Adaptation and Environment”). It was organized and coordinated by the Latvianforest research institute “Silava” and included participation from both Estonian and Lithuanian LandUse, Land-Use Change and Forestry (LULUCF) experts. The aim of the project was to share experi -ence, expertise and plans for further development in land use, land use change and the forestry sector’sgreenhouse gas accounting with a special focus on complicated wetland categories and organic soils.Another project dealing with the forestry challenges is Interreg Baltic Sea Region three years project(2023-2025) “CEforestry-Innovation in forestry biomass residue processing: towards circular forestrywith added value product” which involves 12 partners and 17 associated partners from Poland, Lat -via, Lithuania, Finland and Sweden. The objective of “CEforestry” is to develop new and innovativepractices (circular economy concepts) in forestry and novel solutions to utilize forestry side stream inthe Baltic Sea region. This will be achieved through innovative means of collaboration across sectors(researchers, target SMEs, large companies and other relevant actors) and demonstrated in pilot facil -ities. A Circular Economy business model will be developed based on the project results and the aimis to propose recommendations to utilize forestry side streams in Baltic Sea countries in order to meetEU Green Deal, EU Circular Economy and Baltic Sea region bioeconomy strategy goals.LIFE Peat Restoration project (LPR) (2016-2021), which was composed of nine partners across fivecountries (Germany, Poland, Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia), can also be mentioned. The aim of theproject has been achieved: the restoration of over 5,300 hectares (ha) of degraded peatlands. The51BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Reportoverall goal was to stop the degradation of peatlands caused by drainage, thus, via adapted manage -ment and annually high water levels, peatland growth will be supported to fix carbon dioxide. It is es -timated that the restoration will lead to a reduction of 30% of the global warming potential and thatthe restoration measures will be positive for biodiversity characteristic peatland species, which arehighly adapted to the wet ecosystems and their extreme conditions. The project restored 11 sites, cov -ering a wide range of peatland types and states of degradation; various techniques and materials wereused and tested. The project partners were also actively involved in efforts to raise awareness of peat -lands’ essential role in climate change mitigation.The Baltic States in the framework of the EU Strategy for the Baltic Sea Region (EUBSR) are also in -volved in the three years Interreg Baltic Sea Region technical assistance project (2022-2024) of thePolicy Area (PA) “Energy”. The project implementation is coordinated in close cooperation with theEuropean Commission and all relevant stakeholders from Baltic Sea Region countries, regional andlocal authorities, and intergovernmental and non-governmental bodies. The PA “Energy” focuses onensuring competitive, secure and sustainable energy in the Baltic Sea region. The aim of the PA “En -ergy” is to improve the implementation of the EUSBSR Action Plan and Baltic Energy Market Inter -connection Plan (BEMIP). These two action plans have been merged together since 2015. Regionalcooperation in the energy sector is conducted within the framework of the BEMIP plan, whose ac -tions are to be implemented mainly in the areas of energy infrastructure, gas and electricity markets,power generation, security of energy supply, energy efficiency and renewable energy. Regarding elec -tricity and gas markets the focus is on achieving an open, competitive and fully integrated regionalenergy market in the Baltic Sea region.52BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportBest practice examples from Estonia:• Restoration of the habitats of the Pärnu River basin: the aim of the project was to restoreprotected habitat types and habitats of protected species in the Pärnu River basin. As a result ofthe project, a dozen of dams was opened for fish to move, live and breed freely in the PärnuRiver and a total of 1 220 ha of habitats was restored. One of the most important activities wasthe opening of the Sind dam and the construction of a natural rapid in its place as it blocked90% of spawning and habitats in the Pärnu River basin. The project budget was 15,000,000 eu -ros and 85% came from the EU Cohesion Fund. The project was funded in 2015 and was fin -ished in the upcoming years.• Restoration of swamps: in the framework of the project, at least 8820 ha of marshland andswamp forest habitats have been restored. In the course of the project activities, design, neces -sary expertise and restoration works have been carried out, as well as the elimination of ditches,the construction of water barriers and the cutting of woody vegetation that prevents the recov -ery of the water regime have been implemented. The total cost of this project is 5,168,669 eurosand the contribution from the EU Cohesion Fund is 85%. The project is still being exercised.• Remediation of drained, exhausted and abandoned peatlands: as part of the project, aban -doned peatlands on a total area of about 2,000 ha will be rehabilitated across Estonia. This pro -ject is important as abandoned peat mining areas grow very slowly without interference, and alot of carbon dioxide is released from these areas, therefore, it is important to direct them to re -forestation. In general, the project focuses on closing the drainage ditches and building barriers.The total cost of activities financed by the EU Cohesion Fund is 4,630,840 euros (85%). Mostof the restoration works have been completed, but some are still in the design stages.• The joint Estonian-Latvian LIFE project (LIFE20 NAT/EE/000074) “Restoring and promotinglong-term sustainable management of Fennoscandian wooded meadows in Estonia and Latvia”:the project focuses on restoring wooded meadow areas in both countries while creating sustain -able solutions for maintenance and raising public awareness of the natural and cultural heritageof wooded meadows and their protection and management. There are a total of 33 project areasin Estonia and Latvia, of which 25 project areas are in Estonia and 8 - in Latvia. The project be -gan on 1 November 2021 and will continue until 31 December 2026. The European Commis -sion finances 75% of the project or 5,023,229 euros.53BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportBest practice examples from Lithuania:• LIFE OrgBalt project “Demonstration of climate change mitigation potential of nutrients richorganic soils in the Baltic States and Finland”: the general aim of the project is the implementa -tion of innovative climate change mitigation measures in the management of nutrient-rich or -ganic soils in cool and TCM climate regions to contribute to the United Nations FrameworkConvention of Climate Change Paris Agreement, EU policies (e.g. Regulation (EU) 2018/841on Inclusion of greenhouse gas emissions and removals from land use, land use change and for -estry in the 2030 climate and energy framework) and national climate policy targets in post-2020 commitment period by reduction of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from cropland,grassland and forest land on nutrient-rich organic soils. The Lithuanian Center for Agricultureand Forestry is participating in this project. The duration of the project was from 2019 and itwill be held until 2023 August.• The Norway Grants partnership project “Cooperation on GHG inventory” between Lithuaniaand Norway (under program No 25 “Capacity-building and institutional cooperation betweenbeneficiary state and Norwegian public institutions, local and regional authorities”): the objec -tive of the project was capacity building and improvement of Lithuania’s National system forthe preparation of GHG inventory to comply with the relevant UNFCCC and Kyoto Protocolreporting requirements. The main purpose of this project was to share experiences of imple -menting the new guidelines (2006 IPCC) in GHG inventory. The project was implemented in2015 and 2016 and the outcomes were:ˏA training program for Lithuanian inventory experts to raise their technical competence inthe GHG inventory and GHG emissions projections development process.ˏThe improvement of Quality assurance/Quality control (QA/QC) procedures as well asdocumenting, and archiving systems.ˏImplementation of studies to fill in the reporting gaps in several LULUCF sector areas:−Study for evaluation of carbon stocks in forest and non-forest land in soil and forest lit -ter – it will cover the sampling of soil and litter on the national forest inventory sampleplots and the analysis of these samples.−Study for evaluation of carbon stocks in soil and forest litter of forests that were affor -ested on non-forest land – it will include the determination of sample plots and sam -pling and analysis of samples.−Study for evaluation of carbon stock in dead organic matter (dead wood) analyzing var -ious degrees of dead wood decomposition rates – it will cover the determination ofsample plots and sampling and analysis of samples.−Study for the development of the harvested wood products (HWP) accounting systemand preparation of accounting methodology – it should cover an analysis of legal regu -lation, practices of neighbouring countries and accounting principles of harvestedwood products in Lithuania.54BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportBest practice examples from Latvia:• EU LIFE project “Restoring EU priority grassland habitats and building a new narrative for theirmanagement” (GrassLIFE2): started in 2023. GrassLIFE2 is a continuation of the GrassLIFEproject that has successfully introduced a range of innovative restoration approaches in Latviawhile restoring 1,320 ha of EU-priority grassland habitats in fourteen Natura 2000 sites.ˏThe objective of the GrassLIFE2 project is to upscale the work done in GrassLIFE andtackle all major factors that have led to an unfavourable conservation status of grasslandhabitats in Latvia.ˏThe project promotes synergies with climate change issues by supporting grazing manage -ment that promotes carbon capture in grasslands, by ensuring good soil quality in the res -toration and grazing areas.ˏThe project will assess ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration and soil biodiver -sity) and produce relevant recommendations on improving soil quality and carbon-friendlyfarming for landowners and farmers. It will also promote the introduction of a “less ismore” approach to farm profitability that allows farmers to focus on farming that is bal -anced with natural conditions.ˏThe lead partner of the project is the Latvian Fund for Nature, and the University of Tartuis project partner from Estonia.• LIFE Climate Action subprogramme five years project (2022-2027) “Peatland restoration forgreenhouse gas emission reduction and carbon sequestration in the Baltic Sea region”: started in2022. The project is based on the cooperation of Latvian, Finnish, German and Danish partners.ˏThe project aims at the implementation of Climate Change Mitigation (CCM) measures inpeatlands, adaptation and demonstration of innovative tools and applicable methods forgreenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring.ˏThe project represents the successful cooperation among various scientific communitiesfrom the project partner countries as well as communication and dissemination of theachieved results including implementation and monitoring CCM measures, harmonizedGHG measurement and data processing methods and an ecosystem model for degradedand abandoned peatlands in the Baltic Sea region.55BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report7. Political Recommendations7.1 Recommendations of the BSPC working group on climate change andbiodiversity to the 32nd BSPC resolutionBased on its mandate and deliberations, the following recommendations of the Baltic Sea Parliamen -tary Conference Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity to the draft resolution of the32nd BSPC on 30 August 2023 in Berlin have been unanimously agreed on 15 May 2023 in Gdańsk:Regarding mitigation of climate change, preserving biodiversity and adapting to climate change to:Climate Change1. increase the efforts and speed to implement ambitious national climate targets and adapted ex -tensions – corresponding to the current scientific and measurement results – in line with theParis Agreement’s goal of limiting the increase in the global average temperature to well below2 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels and pursuing efforts to limit the temperature in -crease to 1,5 degrees Celsius above those;2. strengthen regional collaboration and information exchange among the democratic Baltic Seacountries and the Arctic to intensify joint strategies and policies addressing climate change andregularly adapt them to the newest research results;3. urge at every opportunity the world’s three largest CO2 emitters, which currently account formore than 50 % of global CO2 emissions, to step up their efforts to achieve ambitious climatetargets;4. incentivise renewable energy development by shortening the permitting process for wind, solar,other clean and stable energy sources;5. taking into account the risks connected with the increasing dependence of the European marketon the suppliers of rare metals and other raw materials;6. increase the speed in implementing national strategies for transitioning away from fossil fuelsand towards low-carbon energy systems, including phasing out coal-fired power plants;7. acknowledging the different energy strategies and focuses in different states to reach these goals;8. increase the focus on the communal and regional levels on implementing adequate climatechange measures and to raise awareness in the responsible administrations;9. implement coastal management plans to protect and restore coastal ecosystems, which can actas carbon sinks and buffer zones against sea-level rise;56BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report10. support increased research and innovation in climate change mitigation and adaptation technol -ogies, encouraging collaboration between academic institutions, industries, and governments;11. develop incentives and support for integrating climate change education and awareness-raisingprogrammes into curricula, public campaigns, and professional development programmes;12. foster cross-border cooperation on regional climate initiatives, engaging neighbouring countriesand international organisations in joint efforts to address climate change in the Baltic Sea re -gion;13. convene annual Baltic Sea Climate and Biodiversity Summits to raise public awareness, trackprogress, share best practices, and refine regional strategies to accelerate increased climate actionand adaptation;Biodiversity14. make every effort to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030 while ensuring inclusive, sociallyand environmentally sustainable economic growth and development as well as energy securityand contribute to making the democratic Baltic Sea Region as much as possible a macro-region -al best practice example in this regard for the world;15. fully implement as fast as possible the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework(GBF) adopted at the 15th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity(CBD-COP15) on 15 December 2022 with its mission to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by2030, adapt the existing national and Baltic Sea broad strategies and programmes and to coop -erate intensively among the democratic Baltic Sea States to realise a swift and effective imple -mentation of the GBF so that the Baltic Sea region becomes a global best practice example inimplementing the Global Biodiversity Framework;16. contribute to the rapid entry into force of the landmark international legally binding instru -ment on the conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of areas beyond na -tional jurisdiction (BBNJ) from 4 March 2023 and use its tools and possibilities in intensive co -operation within the CBSS and HELCOM to reach the goals mentioned above;17. expand the existing Marine Protected Areas (MPAs) network and improve cooperation andtransboundary management between marine protected areas in the Baltic Sea to ensure properenforcement to protect vulnerable habitats and species;18. consider an ecosystem-based management approach when revising and adapting action plansand strategies to achieve these goals and implementing these measures. This means managementthat considers the whole ecosystem and all human activities, which is aware of and incorporatesall pressures and interactions and aims to protect, restore, or enhance the resilience and sustain -ability of the aquatic ecosystem to ensure the sustainable provision of ecosystem services andmaintain the biodiversity;57BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report19. establish and enforce recognisable, legally binding sustainable fishing quotas in the Baltic SeaRegion with diversification for species, including regulations on fishing nets or other methods,ensuring that fish stocks remain healthy and sustainable in the long term. All actions should bebased on respected, up-to-date research;20. further commit to protecting biodiversity and increasing carbon sequestration and natural stor -age with common and national policies for:a. conservation of carbon-rich ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, and natural rivers; cb. ontinuation of sustainable forest management;21. develop and execute plans to enhance the resilience of the Baltic Sea ecosystem to climatechange, including protecting coastal habitats and restoring wetlands;22. reverse land degradation by 2030, and promote sustainable forest management given their im -portance for climate and biodiversity;23. significantly increase efforts to fundamentally improve nutrient management in agriculture, in -dustry, and wastewater treatment plants to reduce nutrient runoff into the Baltic Sea, whichcontributes to eutrophication and biodiversity loss;24. ensure a quick and strict implementation of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan and its associat -ed action documents within the agreed timelines to achieve a good ecological status of the Bal -tic Sea by the end of the decade and consider as far as possible implementing further measuresfrom the policy-relevant suggestions for various policy areas in the HELCOM 2021 ClimateChange in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet to reach this goal;25. develop and adopt regional strategies to deal with transboundary emergencies caused by climatechange and pollution, including forest fires, eutrophication and the spread of pathogens. Thestrategies should include research into the causes of such emergencies, cooperation between res -cue services and joint monitoring programmes that indicate the risks of such emergencies.58BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report7.2 Recommendations of the BSPC working group on climate change andbiodiversity to the 31st BSPC resolutionBased on its mandate and deliberations, the following recommendations of the Baltic Sea Parliamen -tary Conference Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity to the draft resolution of the31st BSPC have incorporated in the resolution of the 31st BSPC on 14 June 2022:1. support the update of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and its associated action documents agreed bythe HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 20 October 2021 under the current German chairman -ship and to ensure – through regular monitoring of its implementation – that its objectives areimplemented in all countries of the Baltic Sea Region more quickly and consistently than beforeto achieve a good ecological status of the Baltic Sea and its environment by the end of the dec -ade;2. derive and implement further measures from the policy-relevant suggestions for various policyareas in the ‘HELCOM 2021 Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet’ that will enable aneven faster and more extensive reduction of climate-relevant emissions to achieve the targetedclimate neutrality as early as possible;3. intensify all efforts and cooperate closely in several fields at the same time to having a chance oflimiting the temperature rise on less than 2° to the end of the century by the reduction of emis -sions, less energy use, increased energy efficiency at the same time as increasing natural sinks forCO2 and research and development of technologies that were needed regarding for examplecarbon capture and utilization;4. particularly in those countries that are still more dependent on gas and oil imports, considerpushing forward the use of zero emission energies especially domestic ones in combination withinnovative applications of hydrogen in the heat and mobility sector, in order to achieve theirown, more independent and resilient energy security and energy sovereignty and at the sametime to contribute to the achievement of the climate goals;5. significantly boost even more intensive research as well as the introduction and deployment ofinnovative low carbon solutions, particularly in green hydrogen technologies, and develop asfast as possible hydrogen strategies and road maps to complement the European hydrogen strat -egy and the new green deal and bring by joint efforts and close cooperation the Baltic Sea Re -gion in a pole position in green transition;6. concerning sea-dumped munitions, also in the current times of war continue unabated tostrengthen efforts recovering and neutralising explosive ordnance in the Baltic Sea with concretemeasures through multinational cooperation according to the 28th, 29th and 30th BSPC Reso -lutions as well as the interim and final BSPC rapporteur’s reports on sea-dumped munitionsand establish the Baltic Sea Region as a global model region for the environmentally sound, rap -id and affordable salvage and decontamination and removal of explosive ordnance dumped inthe sea;59BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report7. implement methods of nature-friendly farming and actively phase out the use of synthetic pesti -cides and fertilizers by local farmers as well as allocate funds to researching into less hazardousalternatives, and make sure that the policies are well connected to science;8. support sustainable innovation in green energy, reduce the use of non- renewable sources of en -ergy and support innovation to make urban life more sustainable by enhancing green transpor -tation solutions, and make sure that the policies are well connected to science;9. develop and implement policies and regulations around fishing and other industries, togetherwith companies in power, that harm the biodiversity in the Baltic Sea, that aligns with the needsfrom the IPCC report/Paris agreement;10. promote the building of facilities from recycled materials to develop regulations regarding there-use of construction materials, establish plans for the re-use of materials as a requisite for dem -olition permits as part of the effort of finding sustainable supply lines along the Baltic Sea andto introduce public bail systems for plastic bottles in the Baltic Sea Region and furthermoresupport cascading use in every possible field;11. communicating and developing strategies to implementing a new innovative lifestyle to makethe difference by intensive communication about the fact that each individual making a changefor themselves made a difference overall;60BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report7.3 Recommendations of the BSPC working group on climate change andbiodiversity to the 30st BSPC resolutionBased on its mandate and deliberations, the following recommendations of the Baltic Sea Parliamen -tary Conference Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity and its delegations have beenincorporated in the draft resolution of the digital 30th BSPC on 30 August 2021:The participants, elected representatives from the Baltic Sea Region States, assembling in digital formon 30 August 2021,call on the Governments in the Baltic Sea Region, the CBSS and the EU,Regarding Safeguarding the Baltic Sea and our Environment for Future Generations, ClimateChange and Biodiversity totake significant steps in line with UN Agenda 2030, the Paris Agreement and the Baltic 2030 Ac -tion Plan to reach climate resilience of key economic sectors, including industry, transport andconstruction, as well as enhancement of natural sinks, such as forests;acknowledge that global action and cross-border cooperation is needed to mitigate the effects ofclimate change, preserve and protect biodiversity and support the implementation of the 2030Agenda for Sustainable Development with a focus on climate (SDG13), oceans (SDG14) and bi -odiversity (SDG15);promote and financially support both regional and local projects that, based on research, aim toimprove and preserve the marine as well as the land-based environment and ecosystems in the Bal -tic Sea;further involve and inform the local communities in the current situation to gain support andcommitment in all parts of society, including businesses and civil society in long-term work to re -gain a good ecological status in coastal areas;support the development of technology and innovations that will reduce the eutrophication of theBaltic Sea;take further actions in order to reduce ship emissions in the Baltic Sea;continue to support investments in hydrogen technologies in order to reduce emissions of carbondioxide;concerning the impacts of plastics on the environment, climate change and biodiversity,consider that due to the transboundary nature of marine litter and the particular vulnerability ofthe enclosed Baltic sea area, prevention of plastic entering the environment by reduction of unnec -essary plastic at source and the sustainable management of plastic waste is of mutual interest;therefore, commit to intensify the implementation of the HELCOM Regional Action Plan against61BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMarine Litter and measures contained therein, being part of the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan,at regional level andsupport the start of negotiations on a new ambitious global agreement at UNEA 5.2 to take thenext decisive step at international level;concerning the impacts of increased shipping and cruise-ship tourism on climate change and lossof biodiversity in the Baltic Sea,a. recognize that the Baltic Sea is the sea with the highest shipping levels, inland water with lowwater exchange;b. acknowledge that global action and cross-border cooperation is needed to mitigate the emis -sions of increasing cruise-ship tourism and other shipping in the Baltic sea;c. promote and accelerate transition of ships and in particular cruise-ships away from fossil fu -els towards sustainable renewable fuels in order to make shipping climate neutral, and lesspolluting, and aim to improve and preserve the marine as well as the land-based environmentand ecosystems in the Baltic Se;d. support the development of technology and innovations that will reduce the littering of theBaltic Sea through ballast water and disposal of waste from ships;e. take further actions in order to reduce black carbon ship emissions in the Baltic Sea, includ -ing support in technologies and infrastructure on shore power supply of harbours.62BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report8. Excerpts from Statements of the Governmentsof the Baltic Sea Region to the 31st BSPCresolution related to environment, climate changeand biodiversityGovernments of the BSPC members had submitted statements on the implementation of the 31stBSPC Resolution which included the calls for action of the Working Group.These relate to all sections of the resolution.Since a number of demands of the 31st BSPC Resolution relate to the areas of environment, climatechange and biodiversity and their implementation is of particular importance for the activities of theWorking Group, the excerpts from the government statements on the 31st resolution dealing with en -vironment, climate change and biodiversity are included in this report below:ÅlandPoint 19It is important that all HELCOM countries implement and enforce the Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP)as quickly as possible to achieve a good status for the Baltic Sea by the end of this decade. Regularmonitoring is needed to follow the process. The Government of Åland implements as much as possi -ble ob BSAP ́s recommended measures, primarily throuogh the statutory program of measures andthrough EU-funded projects. The Government of Åland has a well-developed surveillance of coastalwaters, except in the outermost more marine waters, due to logistical reasons. Otherwise Åland coop -erates with the rest of Finland and other Baltic Sea countires.Point 20The Government of Åland participates in the HELCOM work, which fufils several important func -tions. The Government of Åland works actively with e.g. offshore wind power, shipping, aquaculturewith catch crops and favor carbon sequestrations in nature. Within a planned EU-funded marine pro -ject, the value of carbon-fixing species in the sea will be raised even more, through knowledge-raisingefforts.Point 21The Government of Åland works comprehensively to reduce eutrophication and improve water qual -ity, especially through water action programs and within varous EU projects. An important aspect istthe water sources, which are affected in the same way.Point 22-23 and 29The Government of Åland has initiated a startup process to establish large-scale offshore wind powerproduction (project Sunnanvind) in parts of the public water areas of Åland. An important part in the63BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Reportbeginning stage are the process for planning and environmental impact assessment, where cross-bor -der aspects are handled through the Espoo Convention.Project Sunnanvind ́s goal is to enable the establishment of large-sclae offshore wind power produc -tion in the sea areas north of Åland that are defined as energy areas in the Maritim Spatial Plan forÅland which was adopted in March 2021. The project is still in the planning phase but sees a greatpotential for cross-border climate action.Local wind power already produces on an annual basis approximately 65% of the electricity con -sumption (~320 GWh) in Åland. The output of a fully developed wind farm (~20 TWh) is approxi -mately 200 times as large as the remaining (35%) electricity demand in Åland. This means that off -shore wind power production will be an export product for Åland and thus a cross-border climate ac -tion.Project Sunnanvind will possibly use part of the electricity to be further refined through power-2-xinto other forms of energy carrier, primarily into hydrogen, but possibly further into ammonia or oth -er forms of e-fuel. The cross-border distribution can thus take place through electric cable or gas pipe -line. The most potential delivery areas for electricitiy are Finland and Sweden but possibly also Esto -nia. The hydrogen can also be deliverd to Central Europe and primarily to Germany.The project has collaborated with international contacts, with Finnish ministries and Swedish minis -tries as well as with the national grid companies in both countries. The project also had a close coop -eration with the Danish Energy Agency, which has a long and solid experience of offshore wind pow -er. Similarly, the project has built up a wide network of contacts with international industry actors.Åland ́s offshore wind power has a great potential to significantly contribute to the achiement of thesustainability goals set by the EU. The establishment of offshore wind power will be preceded by athorough environmental impact assessment and likewise the EU ́s “do no significant harm” will befollowed.LatviaT o what extent do the war in Ukraine and related changes in political priorities have an impacton climate policy goals and their implementation?Latvian farmers and food producers are facing abnormal working conditions due to the war inUkraine. The pressure from climate goals and their implementation is creating additional challengesto the operation of agriculture sector. Therefore, it would be reasonable to postpone some of the am -bitious environmental and climate goals to reach stability in agriculture market. It is also importantto stick to the primary goal of CAP - to ensure food security.In general, there are no changes to the environmental and climate policy goals requirements, exceptfor European Commission’s decision* that allows to use fallows for growing food and feed. The pur -pose of this derogation is to maximise the agricultural land available for food production to meet thepopulations’ demands for food.64BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportIt is important to balance the environmental, social and economic needs and there is an urge in stra -tegic support activities for agriculture and food production industry.*Commission Implementing Decision (EU) 2022/184 of 23 March 2022 providing for derogationsfrom Regulation (EU) No 1307/2013 of the European Parliament and of the Council andfrom Com -mission Delegated Regulation (EU) No 639/2014 as regards the implementation of cerlain condi -tions relating to the greening payment for claim year 2022 (notiJied under document C(2022) 1875)Answers provided by the Ministry of Climate and Energy22. intensify all efforts and cooperate closely in several fields at the same time to obtain thechance of limiting global warming to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursuing ef -forts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels through the rapid,comprehensive expansion of renewable energies and their technologies, by the reduction ofemissions, less energy use, increased energy efficiency at the same time as strengthening and in -creasing natural sinks for CO2 and research and development of innovative and sustainabletechnologies;Latvia has reached the share ol renewable energy of 42.1%o of total gross energy consumption, whichexceeds the set 2020 goal by at least 2 percentage points. Thus, within l0 years, the share ofrenewableenergy has increased by almost 12 percentage points. The share of renewable energy has increasedmainly due to enhanced use of biomass in cogeneration as well as incremental development of windand solar powered-based electricity generation capacities. A slight increase in the share of renewableenergy has also taken place in the transportation sector due to the increased use of biofuels.23. particularly in those countries that are still more dependent on domestic and imported fos -sil energy sources and uranium imports, push forward the use of zero and low emission renew -able energies from domestic sources and in the long-term those imported from democratic andreliable partner countries in combination with innovative applications of hydrogen and hydro -gen derivatives on the basis of renewable energies in industry and commerce as well as in theheating and mobility sector, in order to achieve their own, affordable, more independent and re -silient energy security and energy sovereignty and at the same time to contribute to the achieve -ment of the climate goals;In the field of strengthening the output of wind energy-based generation capacities, in recent yearsLatvia have been actively working on reducing various bureaucratic obstacles for the roll-out ofrenew -able electricity-focused technologies, for example by simplifying the permitting, approval and envi -ronmental impact assessment procedures for large-capacity wind farms, developing compensationmechanisms for local communities near wind farms. Simultaneously, Latvia is continuously cooper -ating with Estonia in the field of developing a joint offshore wind park project, while national state-owned companies iue cooperating with intemational partners in order to begin construction ofon -shore wind parks, located in less populated areas and forest lands.65BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report24. cooperate with countries that are most dependent on fossil fuels and uranium imports fromRussia in their efforts to switch to more reliable and environmentally friendly energy sources;A legal prohibition ol imports of natural gas from the Russian federation had entered into force as oft -he I st of January 2023.25. widely deploy the extensive existing low-cost and efficient renewable energy generation tech -nologies, and effectively and significantly boost even more intensive research as well as the intro -duction and deployment of innovative green solutions, particularly in green hydrogen technol -ogies, and develop as fast as possible hydrogen strategies and road maps to complement the Eu -ropean hydrogen strategy and the new green deal and bring by joint efforts and close coopera -tion the Baltic Sea Region in a pole position in green transition;The development of industrial-scale wind farms and the introduction of decentralized solar energy us -age solutions could provide the necessary amount of clean electricity that would allow transformingboth the heat supply and transport sectors, especially in the centralized and light-weight vehicle seg -ments. At the same time, options for providing base-load capacities are being evaluated, including theassessments of the possibilities to develop a small modular nuclear reactor and - in the future – hydro -gen production, storage and transmission capacities by means of retrofitting the existing natual gas in -frastructure.30. develop and implement policies and regulations around fishing, shipping and other indus -tries, together with all relevant stakeholders, that harm the biodiversity in the Baltic Sea and theglobal climate, that aligns with the needs and challenges from the IPCC report and the interna -tionally binding targets of the Paris Agreement;At the end of 2022 the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre has developed andpublished local govemment climate profiles, which contain information on climate indicators foreach Latvian municipality and state city, with climate indicators ofindividual local govemments basedon weather observation data and future climate models. The information gathered in climate profileswill be used by municipalities in developing local govemment adaptation strategies as well as, for ex -ample, in updating civil protection plans.T o what extent do the war in Ukraine and related changes in political priorities have an impacton climate policy goals and their implementation?There is no direct impact ofwar in Ukraine to the climate change policy and currently it is still too ear -ly to assess war’s impact upon the achievement of its goals. Latest published National Greenhouse GasInventory shows situation as of202l . However, of course war has influenced many greenhouse gas(GHG) sectors.In order to improve the development and implementation of the climate change and energy policies,at the beginning of 2023 the Ministry of Climate and Energy was established.Latvia is committed to the European Green Deal and the advancement of the Fit for 55 package asthese legislative proposals will contribute to the implementation of more ambitious climate goals.66BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportLatvia continues working on more ambitious climate goals and policies in order to reduce the GHGemissions of the non-ETS sector by 17% by 2030 compared to 2005 and to achieve the climate neu -trality by 2050. On 31 August 2022 the Environmental Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027 were adopt -ed. Cunently, Latvia is working on the development of the national Climate Law and the review ofthe National Energy and Ctimate Plan (adopted at 4 February 2020). Additionally, Latvia is planningalso to review its low carbon strategy (The Strategy of Latvia for the Achievement of Climate Neutral -ity by 2050).Answers provided by the Ministry of Economics31. promote the building of facilities from recycled materials to develop regulations regardingthe re-use of construction materials, establish plans for the re-use of materials as a requisite fordemolition permits as part of the effort of finding sustainable supply lines along the Baltic Seaand to introduce public bail systems for plastic bottles in the Baltic Sea Region and furthermoresupport cascading use in every possible field;Currently, the situation regarding the problem of reused construction materials is being identified inLatvia in order to prepare proposals for further actions within 2023. The purpose of the evaluation isto identift the currently existing legal and factual obstacles to the use of these materials.Answers provided by the Ministry of Education and Science22. intensify all efforts and cooperate closely in several fields at the same time to obtain the chanceof limiting global warming to well below 2°C above preindustrial levels and pursuing efforts tolimit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels through the rapid, comprehen -sive expansion of renewable energies and their technologies, by the reduction of emissions, less en -ergy use, increased energy efficiency at the same time as strengthening and increasing natural sinksfor CO2 and research and development of innovative and sustainable technologies;25. widely deploy the extensive existing low-cost and efficient renewable energy generation tech -nologies, and effectively and significantly boost even more intensive research as well as the intro -duction and deployment of innovative green solutions, particularly in green hydrogen technol -ogies, and develop as fast as possible hydrogen strategies and road maps to complement the Eu -ropean hydrogen strategy and the new green deal and bring by joint efforts and close coopera -tion the Baltic Sea Region in a pole position in green transition;28. implement methods of nature-friendly farming and actively phase out the use of syntheticpesticides and fertilizers by local farmers as well as allocate funds to researching into less hazard -ous alternatives, and make sure that the policies are well connected to science;Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Latvia (hereafter - MoES) supports points 22and 25 of the Conference Resolution dated 14.06.2022, Ministry of Climate and Energy is planningto invest I lM EUR (2023-2025) in National Research program (NRP) for the development of re -search projects in the field of climate and energy. lM EUR foreseen in NRP and administrated by theMinistry of Agriculture includes activities related to nature-friendly farming and actively phase outthe use of synthetic pesticides and fertilizers (point 28).67BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportT o what extent do the war in Ukroine and related changes in political priorities have an impacton climate policy goals and their implementation?MoES informs that an impact on climate policy goals does not have direct implications to its activities.During the period of 2018-2022 MoES financed 15 Fundamental and Applied research projects(FARP), administrated by Latvian Council of Science, in the field of energy, hydrogen, climate change,and the problems of ecology with a total budget of -4.4M EUR. The principal scientific institution infundraising was Riga Technical University with -50% of total amount of the projects in the field.During 2019-2022 National Research program (NRP) “Energy” was financed by Ministry of Eco -nomics with a total budget of 5.3M EUR, and 1l scientific projects had been implemented.During 2016-2020 4 calls of PostDoc projects were announced and during this period 29 PostDocprojects were supported in the field of smart energy and climate change with a total budget of -3.8MEUR. The main research institutions were the University of Latvia and Riga Technical University.Answers provided by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and RegionalDevelopment19. support the updated Baltic Sea Action Plan and its associated action documents agreed bythe HELCOM Ministerial Meeting on 20 October 2021 under the current German chairman -ship and to ensure a more quickly and consistent implementation of the agreed objectives thanbefore in all countries of the Baltic Sea Region in order to achieve a good ecological status of theBaltic Sea by the end of the decade; regular monitoring of the implementation is essential tosupport the process;20. derive and implement further measures from the policy-relevant suggestions for various pol -icy areas in the ‘HELCOM 2021 Climate Change in the Baltic Sea Fact Sheet’ that will enable aneven faster and more extensive reduction of climaterelevant emissions to achieve the targeted cli -mate neutrality as early as possible;26. concerning sea-dumped munitions, also in the current times of war continue unabated inclose cooperation with HELCOM and CBSS to strengthen efforts exploring, identifying, recov -ering and neutralising explosive ordnance in the Baltic Sea with concrete measures through mul -tinational cooperation according to the 28th, 29th and 30th BSPC Resolutions as well as the in -terim and final BSPC rapporteur’s reports on sea-dumped munitions and establish the BalticSea Region as a global model region for the environmentally sound, rapid and affordable salvageand decontamination and removal of explosive ordnance dumped in the sea;Latvia is holding the rotating Chairmanship of the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) for the twoyears period from July 2022 till June 2024.The priority for Latvia’s presidency is the implementation of the Baltic SeaAction Plan, which was up -dated in 2021 (hereafter - BSAP 2021). The Baltic Sea Action Plan recognizes the cross-cutting natureof climate change, and it also reflects on how activities in different areas can have an impact on Sus -tainable Development Goals and targets of the Agenda 2030.68BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportThe focus areas of the Latvian Chairmanship are the protection of marine biodiversity and advancingecosystem-based sustainable marine management, as envisioned in BSAP 2021, and enhancing the ef -fectiveness of HELCOM as a regional organization.Latvia took over the HELCOM Chairmanship from Germany in a challenging time of changed geo -political situation due to Russia’s invasion in Ukraine which also impacted the HELCOM work. De -spite the strategic pause when all ofiicial HELCOM meetings with Russian involvement are suspend -ed, HELCOM’s operation is not ceased but continues in a format of informal consultation sessionsof nine HELCOM parties,namely, Contracting Parties who are also the EU member states and the European Union, represent -ed by the European Commission.Also work on the Third Holistic Assessment of the Baltic Sea (hereafter - HOLAS 3) is going on as planned.Approval of the HOLAS-3 as well as mid-term evaluation of the implementation of the BSAP 2021is plannedby HELCOM Ministerial meeting in 2024 which will be organized by Latvia under its Chairmanship.Concerning sea-dumped munitions, HELCOM is cooperating with CBSS. The successful ExpertRound Table on Dumped Munitions took place on 12-13 December 2022 in Kiel, Germany. At theround table many aspects were discussed, such as the regional but also global scale of the issue.31. promote the building of facilities from recycled materials to develop regulations regardingthe re-use of construction materials, establish plans for the re-use of materials as a requisite fordemolition permits as part of the effort of finding sustainable supply lines along the Baltic Seaand to introduce public bail systems for plastic bottles in the Baltic Sea Region and furthermoresupport cascading use in every possible field;ln 2022 the packaging deposit system successfully launched its operation, showing good results dur -ing the first year. From 2023 the coverage of the packaging deposit system has already been extendedto the packages of syrups and alcoholic beverages of the specified types. According to the deposit-sys -tem operator’s forecasts, more than 485 million deposit packaging units will be placed on the marketin 2023, of which about 30 million will be made up of the new-capture beverage packages.Project “Raising aworeness on packaging deposit and strategic opproach to harmonize packaging de -posit systems in Estonia and Lania (PACKGDEPO)” within the INTERREG Estonia - Latvia Cross- Border Cooperation Program 2014 - 2020. Ist aim is to raise awareness about the deposit of pack -aging and to evaluate a strategic approach in harmonising the packaging deposit system in Estoniaand Latvia. In line with the EU Directives to increase recycled total packaging waste and raise theamount of recycled disposable plastic beverage packaging collected.General information:• The project has been extended until 30 April2023.• The first data analysis of the assessment on the knowledge of residents was performed in the be -ginning of 2021, prior to introduction of the deposit system in Latvia.• Information and educational materials have been developed for education institutions and pub lic.69BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final Report• Seminars are organised regularly workshop cycles for deposit system participants, exchange of opinionon system harmonisation between Latvia and Estonia and sharing of experiences between countries.• Several seminars have been held for teachers from Latvian and Estonian schools and preschool,both online and in person. The final seminar was on 10 February 2023 andprepared education -al materials for the primary school were presented.• Valka Valga Pilot Project took place in January 2023, during which the joint border depositvending machine points were available. Thus, demonstrating the practical benefits of a harmo -nised deposit system between the two countries. For a short time, there were the common de -posit vending machines in both countries. In both vending machines, the packaging of the bev -erage deposit could be passed on with both the Latvian and Estonian deposit mark.• Policy and technical guidelines for the deposit system improvements and harmonised depositpackaging system assessment will be developed in the closing phase ofthe project.Answers provided by the Ministry of the InteriorRegarding climate change mitigation, preserving biodiversity and adapting to climate changesRegarding the prevention and prosecution of environmental crimes, in 2019 a close cooperation betweenthe State Police, the State Environmental Service and State Prosecution was developed to improve the inves -tigation and prosecution of such crimes and to develop a new approach in investigative and prosecutionpractice. The collaboration with the State Environmental Service is significant, as this institution is respon -sible for the use of resources and maintenance of environmental quality in the country. Among their tasks isthe supervision of adherence to the law in the field of environmental protection. Additionally, citizen atten -tion and timely reporting of contamination cases are important. As a result of this cooperation, the method -ology for determining the amount of waste disposed of and the harm committed has been updated.With the support of the State Environmental Service, the determination of the amount of waste dis -posed of and the harm committed has importance in the further prosecution of criminal intent, as theoffence can only be considered a crime if significant harm is caused. A partnership agreement with theItalian Arma dei Carabinieri was signed within the scope of the project Nr.869144 “Mechanisms tocombat the trade of illegal waste” (OFPA-WASTE) as part of the European Commission program“Intemal Security Fund - Police Cooperation”. From March 2020 until February 2022, the State Po -lice Central Criminal Police Economic Crimes Department (ENAP), as leading project experts, con -ducted a study on the role of Latvia in the transportation of waste at the global level.Experts from the Economic Crimes Department also participated in the EEZ20|4-2021 period co-fi -nanced program “Intemational police cooperation and combating crime”, in the project “support tothe State Police to accelerate the investigation of economic crimes and to improve the quality of in -vestigation in Latvia”. During the project, guidelines for the investigation of environmental crimeswere developed, several seminars were organized. In 2023, a pilot project with Norwegian colleagueswill be implemented, during which several experience exchange visits are planned as well as trainingfor Economic Crimes Department experts in Norway.In order to ensure a better ecological situation in the Baltic Sea and to improve an operational response tothe pollutions along of the Baltic Sea, team and observers of the State Fire and Rescue Service on24-25 Au -gust 2022 participated in the exercises Balex Delta 2022, in Rostock, Germany organized by HELCOM.70BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportAnswers provided by the Ministry of Transport30. develop and implement policies and regulations around fishing, shipping and other indus -tries, together with all relevant stakeholders, that harm the biodiversity in the Baltic Sea and theglobal climate, that aligns with the needs and challenges from the IPCC report and the interna -tionally binding targets of the Paris Agreement;“Appropriate bodies and experts thereof are following up the issues related to biodiversity in the Bal -tic Sea and the global climate, as pointed out in paragraph 30 of the Conference Resolution adoptedby the 31st Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference (BSPC), being discussed within the EU and at theintemational level - International Maritime organisation (IMO).”Schleswig-HolsteinReply of the Minister for Energy Transition, Climate Protection, Environment and Nature to thequestion of the BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity on the impact of thewar in Ukraine on the climate policy goals and their implementationEuropean and German climate change efforts have been facing major challenges in the light of theRussian war of aggression in Ukraine. In order to safeguard energy supply the life span of some coal-fired power plants had to be extended and permits for the construction of LNG terminals granted. Atthe same time, however, the necessary strategic decisions for an accelerated energy transition were tak -en at national policy level, for instance by adopting the Onshore Wind Energy Act (Wind-an-Land-Gesetz), in order to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and on politically questionable regimes.Furthermore, international cooperation on climate change with Ukraine, Belarus, and Russia hascome to a standstill as a result of the war in Ukraine. This concerns in particular the protection of thelarge moorland areas in this region. The Succow Foundation, for instance, has stopped the project IKIPeatRus, that had the aim peatland rewetting and restoration, for an indefinite period as a reaction tothe Russian war of aggression against Ukraine.For the Schleswig-Holstein Government implementation of goals related to energy transition and cli -mate change are a very high priority on the political agenda. This is why Schleswig-Holstein makes animportant contribution to an independent and secure energy supply at favourable prices by furtherdeveloping and funding renewable energies. At the same time this also protects the climate. In addi -tion, the conservation and (re-)construction of natural sinks (forests and peatland) are a high priorityin Schleswig-Holstein and the efforts in this field are continued with the same intensity.The governments of the Baltic Sea states submitted also statements on the implementation of the 30thand 31st BSPC resolution. These can be downloaded it under the following links:https://www.bspc.net/statements-of-the-governments-in-the-baltic-sea-region-to-the-30th-bspc-resolution/https://www.bspc.net/statements-of-the-governments-in-the-baltic-sea-region-to-the-29th-bspc-resolution/71BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportList of ChairmanshipSince September 2022Member Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernMr Philipp da CunhaChair of the WGSubstitute:Ms Beate SchluppMr Georg Strätker/Ms Evgeniya BakalovaState Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernLennéstr. 119053 SchwerinGermanyTel: +49 385 525 1530/+49 385 525 1531(International Secretariat)Georg.Straetker@landtag-mv.deevgeniya.bakalova@landtag-mv.deinternational@landtag-mv.deParliament of Åland Mr Jesper JoseffsonVice-Chair of the WGMr Sten ErikssonAssistant to the ParliamentThe Åland ParliamentPB 69AX-22101 MariehamnÅland IslandsTel: +358 18 25 474 / +358 457 529 2964sten.eriksson@lagtinget.axParliament of Poland Mr Jarosław WałęsaVice-Chair of th WGMr Piotr KoperskiSecretary of the Delegation of the Sejmand the Senate of the Republic of Polandto the BSPC,International and European Union AffairsOffice,Chancellery of the Senate of the Republicof Poland6 Wiejska Str.00-902 WarsawPolandTel: +48 22 694 95 65Piotr.Koperski@senat.gov.pl72BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportAugust 2020 till September 2022Member Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament of Sweden Ms Cecilie Tenfjord-ToftbyChair of the WGSubstitute:Ms Pernilla StålhammarMs Johanna Ingvarsson/Mr Dan AlvarssonInternational Department of the SwedishParliamentSwedish Delegation to the BSPC,RiksdagenSE-10012 StockholmSwedenTel: +468 08-786 50 48johanna.ingvarsson@riksdagen.sedan.alvarsson@riksdagen.seParliament of Åland Ms Liz MattssonVice-Chair of the WGMr Sten ErikssonAssistant to the ParliamentThe Åland ParliamentPB 69AX-22101 MariehamnÅland IslandsTel: +358 18 25 474 / +358 457 529 2964sten.eriksson@lagtinget.axParliament of Iceland Mr Kolbeinn ÓttarssonProppéVice-Chair of the WGMr Helgi ThorsteinssonSecretary to the Icelandic Delegation to theNordic CouncilAlthingiAusturstræti 8-10IS - 150 ReykjavíkIcelandTel: +354 6666 790helgith@althingi.is73BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportList of MembersMember Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament ofMecklenburg-VorpommernMr Philipp da CunhaChair of the WGSubstitute:Ms Beate SchluppMr Georg Strätker/Ms Evgeniya BakalovaState Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernLennéstr. 119053 SchwerinGermanyTel: +49 385 525 1530/+49 385 525 1531(International Secretariat)Georg.Straetker@landtag-mv.deevgeniya.bakalova@landtag-mv.deinternational@landtag-mv.deParliament of Åland Mr Jesper JoseffsonVice-Chair of the WGSubstitute:Mr Simon PavalsMr Sten ErikssonAssistant to the ParliamentThe Åland ParliamentPB 69AX-22101 MariehamnÅland IslandsTel: +358 18 25 474 / +358 457 529 2964sten.eriksson@lagtinget.axBaltic Assembly Mr Erki Savisaar, Chair ofthe Natural Resourcesand EnvironmentCommittee of the BA;Substitute:Ms Urve Tiidus, Chair ofthe Security and DefenceCommittee of the BAMs Agnija Antanoviča/Ms Rovena BergaSecretariat of the Baltic AssemblyCitadeles Street 2, room 616Riga LV-1010,LatviaTel: +371 67225178agnija.antanovica@baltasam.orgrovena.berga@baltasam.orgParliament of Denmark Mr Peder PedersenChefkonsulent,Secretary General at SCPAR/ Standing Committeeof Parliamentarians of the Arctic RegionThe Parliament of Denmark, Christiansborg1240 CopenhagenDenmarkTel. +45 3337 5500/ +45 61623007Peder.Pedersen@ft.dk74BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMember Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament of Estonia Ms Urve TiidusMr Erki Savisaar followedbyMr Andres MetsojaMs Merilin ReepaluForeign Relations DepartmentRiigikogu of the Republic of EstoniaLossi plats 1A15165 TallinnEstoniaTel: +372 631 6397GSM: +372 53089818Regina.Sepp@riigikogu.eeParliament of the FederalRepublic of GermanyMr Johannes SchrapsSubstitute:Ms Petra NicolaisenMs Katalin Zador/Ms Pia-Sophie BrandenburgDeutscher BundestagDivision International Parliamentary AssembliesPlatz der Republik 111011 BerlinGermanyTel: +49 30 / 227-32553katalin.zador@bundestag.depia-sophie.brandenburg@bundestag.debspc@bundestag.deParliament of FinlandMs Mai KiveläSubstitute:Mr Joonas KönttäMr Mika Laaksonen/Ms Maarit ImmonenThe Parliament of Finland00102 EduskuntaFinlandTel: +358 9 4321mika.laaksonen@eduskunta.fimaarit.immonen@parliament.fiParliament of the Freeand Hanseatic City ofHamburgMr AlexanderMohrenbergMs Friederike LünzmannState Parliament of the Free and Hanseatic City ofHamburgAdministration of the ParliamentSchmiedestraße 220095 HamburgGermanyTel: +49 40 4 28 31-1352Fax: +49 40 4 27 31-2271friederike.luenzmann@bk.hamburg.deinternationales@bk.hamburg.de75BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMember Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament of Iceland Mr Kolbeinn ÓttarssonProppéMr Helgi ThorsteinssonSecretary to the Icelandic Delegation to the NordicCouncilAlthingiAusturstræti 8-10IS - 150 ReykjavíkIcelandTel: +354 6666 790helgith@althingi.isParliament of Latvia Mr Arvils AšeradensProf Jānis VucānsMs Ingrida SticenkoSaeimaInterparliamentary Relations Bureau of theParliament of LatviaJēkaba Street 10/12Rīga LV-1811LatviaTel: +371 6 7087335Ingrida.Sticenko@saeima.lvParliament of Lithuania Mr Eugenijus GentvilasMr Andrius KupčinskasMrs Renata GodfreySeimasGediminas Ave 532002 VilniusLithuaniaTel: +370 5239 6220Renata.Godfrey@lrs.ltNordic Council Ms Rebecca Le MoineSubstitute:Ms Alexandra AnstrellMr Arne Fogt Bergby/Ms Mette Gervin DamsgaardNordic CouncilVed Stranden 18DK-1061 Copenhagen KDenmarkTel: +45 33 96 04 00arfber@norden.orgmetdam@norden.orgParliament of Norway Ms Lene Westgaard-Halle Mr Thomas FraserThe Norwegian Parliament0026 OsloNorwayTel: +47 23 31 35 91/+47 40 45 54 50thomas.fraser@stortinget.no76BSPC Working Group on Climate Change and Biodiversity (CCB) – Final ReportMember Parliament Member MP Staff Point of ContactParliament of Poland Mr Kacper PłażyńskiSubstitute:Mr Jarosław WałęsaMr Piotr KoperskiSecretary of the Delegation of the Sejm and theSenate of the Republic of Poland to the BSPC,International and European Union Affairs Office,Chancellery of the Senate of the Republic of Poland6 Wiejska Str.00-902 WarsawPolandTel: +48 22 694 95 65Piotr.Koperski@senat.gov.plParliament of Schleswig-HolsteinMs Silke Backsen Ms Mareike WotallaHead of DivisionState Parliament of Schleswig-HolsteinPostfach 712124171 KielGermanyTel: +49 431 988 1159mareike.wotalla@landtag.ltsh.deParliament of Sweden Ms Emma Nohrén Ms Johanna Ingvarsson/Mr Dan AlvarssonInternational Department of the SwedishParliamentSwedish Delegation to the BSPC,RiksdagenSE-10012 StockholmSwedenTel: +468 08-786 50 48johanna.ingvarsson@riksdagen.sedan.alvarsson@riksdagen.seMr Bodo BahrSecretary General of the BSPCSchlossgartenallee 1519061 SchwerinGermanyTel: +49 171 5512557bodo.bahr@bspcmail.nethttp://www.bspc.netMr Georg Strätker/Ms Evgeniya BakalovaState Parliament of Mecklenburg-VorpommernLennéstr. 119053 SchwerinGermanyTel: +49 385 525 1530/+49 385 525 1531 (International Secretariat)Georg.Straetker@landtag-mv.deevgeniya.bakalova@landtag-mv.deinternational@landtag-mv.de