The Baltic Sea: A Report on Conservation Efforts
Introduction
The Baltic Sea is one of the busiest sea areas on our planet. About 90 million people live within its drainage basin, and the working pressure on the sea is immense. It also happens to be one of the most polluted seas in the world. National and international conservation work has been carried out for decades, but substantial pollution from past decades is still evident. The Baltic Sea is especially threatened by nutrient pollution from human activities, climate change, harmful substances, and global biodiversity loss.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
- Goal 14: Life Below Water
- Goal 13: Climate Action
- Goal 15: Life on Land
Conservation Efforts in Turku and Helsinki
Turku and Helsinki are leading the way in conservation efforts for the Baltic Sea. They have invested in effective wastewater treatment measures that have significantly reduced waterway phosphorus levels, a top cause of eutrophication. Both cities also prioritize their responsibility for the protection of their waterways in their city strategy.
Statements from Mayors
- Minna Arve, Mayor of Turku: “The sea, the maritime environment, and our proximity to the sea are important to both residents and tourists. Being close to the sea makes our cities nice places to live and creates opportunities for the event and tourism sector. Our use of the sea must nevertheless be carried out in a sustainable manner. The City of Turku is nestled in a vast archipelago and therefore has a special responsibility and means to preserve this unique natural environment.”
- Mayor of Helsinki Juhana Vartiainen: “Cities can actually do quite a lot to protect the Baltic Sea. For example, city planning can influence land use and construction projects. We can also affect the well-being of our nature and forest areas and thus support biodiversity. We can also encourage the formation of residents’ Baltic Sea identity and emphasize the importance of a healthy sea for all of us.”
New Joint Baltic Sea Action Plan
Background
Helsinki and Turku founded the Baltic Sea Challenge in 2007. The cities committed themselves to pursuing concrete protection measures that exceeded the minimum requirements of Finnish legislation as well as challenging other actors to join the network. In the previous policy period, the cities of Helsinki and Turku succeeded in implementing the appointed measures successfully, improving the overall health of the Baltic Sea. Many of the activities that were found to be functional and effective have remained a permanent part of normal municipal operations.
Launch of the Action Plan
The new Joint Baltic Sea Action Plan of the Cities of Helsinki and Turku is the fourth of its kind. The latest iteration was launched at the annual Baltic Sea Challenge seminar, held at Helsinki City Hall on Thursday, 25 January 2024. The new Action Plan has been co-created as the result of widespread collaboration from an even wider network of participants. Residents of both cities, municipal employees from different administrative divisions, and representatives from organizations, learning institutions, and research institutes were invited.
Importance of Collaboration
“We wanted to get as many people as possible onboard, so they can commit to the protection of the Baltic Sea. Conservation work is not just an ecological issue; it has a far-reaching effect on our economy, culture, and individual well-being. That’s why it’s really important that the measures are implemented by a large number of people and in more diverse ways than before,” said Esa Nikunen, Director General of the City of Helsinki’s Environment Services.
Main Objectives of the Action Plan
Curbing Eutrophication
The Action Plan includes measures to reduce nutrient pollution and address eutrophication in the Baltic Sea.
Reducing Harmful Substances
The plan aims to minimize the release of harmful substances into the Baltic Sea, protecting both marine life and human health.
Increasing Biodiversity
Preserving and promoting biodiversity in the Baltic Sea is a key objective of the Action Plan.
Promoting Sustainable Use of the Seas
The plan encourages sustainable practices and responsible use of the Baltic Sea’s resources.
Preventing Litter
Efforts will be made to prevent litter and marine debris from polluting the Baltic Sea.
Increasing Cooperation and Inclusion
The Action Plan emphasizes the importance of collaboration and inclusivity in conservation efforts for the Baltic Sea.
Call for Collaboration
“We would like to take this opportunity to not only encourage new actors in the field to join in our collaboration but also challenge our current partners to update their own action plans. We currently have 330 operators who are members of the Baltic Sea Challenge, only two-thirds of which originate from Finland. When it comes to influencing the condition of the Baltic Sea, an international network such as this has a much wider reach than two cities would have had,” said Olli-Pekka Mäki, City of Turku’s Environmental Protection Manager.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials | Indicator: Effective wastewater treatment measures that have significantly reduced waterway phosphorus levels |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | Indicators: City planning influencing land use and construction projects, formation of residents’ Baltic Sea identity, emphasis on the importance of a healthy sea for all |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- SDG 15: Life on Land
- SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation
- SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals
2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution
- Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species
- Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials
- Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries
- Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources
3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?
- Indicator: Effective wastewater treatment measures that have significantly reduced waterway phosphorus levels (Target 6.3)
- Indicators: City planning influencing land use and construction projects, formation of residents’ Baltic Sea identity, emphasis on the importance of a healthy sea for all (Target 11.3)
4. SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, particularly from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 15: Life on Land | Target 15.5: Take urgent and significant action to reduce the degradation of natural habitats, halt the loss of biodiversity, and protect and prevent the extinction of threatened species | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
| SDG 6: Clean Water and Sanitation | Target 6.3: Improve water quality by reducing pollution, eliminating dumping, and minimizing release of hazardous chemicals and materials | Indicator: Effective wastewater treatment measures that have significantly reduced waterway phosphorus levels |
| SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities | Target 11.3: Enhance inclusive and sustainable urbanization and capacity for participatory, integrated, and sustainable human settlement planning and management in all countries | Indicators: City planning influencing land use and construction projects, formation of residents’ Baltic Sea identity, emphasis on the importance of a healthy sea for all |
| SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals | Target 17.16: Enhance the global partnership for sustainable development, complemented by multi-stakeholder partnerships that mobilize and share knowledge, expertise, technology, and financial resources | No specific indicators mentioned in the article |
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Source: hel.fi
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