Climate news by BPO – Regional assessment highlights ongoing challenges for the Baltic Sea ecosystem

The Baltic Sea is facing increasing challenges due to climate change and biodiversity degradation according to a report published by the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) in the end of October.

The State of the Baltic Sea 2023 summarises the main findings from the third HELCOM holistic assessment (HOLAS 3), which provides a comprehensive overview of the Baltic Sea’s ecosystem health during 2016 to 2021.

Little to no improvement of the Baltic Sea environment occurred during the assessment period, the report finds. Key pressures on the Baltic Sea ecosystem include eutrophication, pollution from hazardous substances, land use and overfishing, but several other pressures also add to the total impact. However, measures to reduce pressures on the Baltic Sea are working, when they are implemented.

Key highlights from the report:

Environmental deterioration: Despite efforts to improve the Baltic Sea environment, the assessment period (2016-2021) showed little to no improvement. Several indicators, including pelagic and benthic habitats, fish stocks, waterbirds, and marine mammals, did not meet their threshold values, with some showing a worsening trend.

Impact of human activities: Pressures on the Baltic Sea ecosystem include eutrophication, pollution from hazardous substances, overfishing, and habitat destruction. These pressures are adversely affecting the ecosystem, leading to a decline in the overall state of biodiversity.

Cost of inaction: The poor environmental status of the Baltic Sea clearly impacts a wide range of ecosystem services on which we depend, affecting the profitability of fisheries and tourism for example. Achieving good environmental status in national marine waters by 2040 has been estimated to be worth 5.6 billion euros per year to the people around the Baltic Sea.

Regional measures: The assessment reveals that when regional measures are implemented, they have a positive impact on the environment. Reductions in nutrient inputs and hazardous substances, as well as actions for biodiversity conservation, have shown signs of success in some parts of the Baltic Sea.

Climate change: Climate change is increasingly affecting the Baltic Sea region, leading to rising water temperatures, reduced ice cover, and more extreme weather events. This amplifies the need for measures to enhance ecosystem resilience and mitigate the negative impacts of climate change.

Ecosystem-based management: The assessment emphasizes the importance of ecosystem-based management and transformative changes across various socioeconomic sectors interacting with or affecting the Baltic Sea environment.

HELCOM’s 2021 Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) is a cornerstone in addressing these challenges and remains highly relevant. The plan includes measures that HELCOM countries have agreed on to strengthen biodiversity, reduce environmental pressures, and improve the overall health of the Baltic Sea ecosystem. The BSAP aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive, underscoring the need for coordinated action.

Actions undertaken to protect the Baltic Sea environment are interlinked with various national, regional and global commitments. HELCOM's efforts to restore the Baltic Sea environment are also supported by the BPO. The Organization has an observer status in the Helcom Maritime Group dealing with, among others, the reduction of emissions from shipping and ports.

Bogdan Ołdakowski, BPO Secretary General, commenting the report said:

“The assessment results need to be carefully considered. They prove that the restoration of the Baltic Sea environment is a long-term process and efforts must be taken by many actors throughout the Baltic Sea. The Baltic ports sector also has its own role to play, such as the above-mentioned investments in port reception facilities for collecting sewage from passenger ships, so that nutrients are not discharged into the sea."

According to the assessment’s findings climate change is increasingly affecting the Baltic Sea region, leading to rising water temperatures, reduced ice cover and more extreme weather events. Recently the Organization adopted the BPO Ystad Climate Declaration expressing the willingness of the Baltic ports to combat the climate change and a need for cooperation with range of stakeholders to reach the progress in this matter.

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