Policy

Policy in practice

Policy practice is all about providing expert advice and direction to guide what decisions are made, how they’re applied, and who’s accountable. Strong policy makes strong governance. As the Baltic Sea region continues to develop while facing the ongoing threats of climate change, biodiversity loss and shifting energy systems, closing the gap between conservation science and decision-making has never been more needed.

Why are we concerned about baltic policy?

Strong policy for good governance is needed to protect fragile Baltic Sea ecosystems. Water sees no boundaries, nor does fish or pollutants. Therefore, collaboration between countries in the region is key to tackling the Baltic Sea’s environmental problems. Similarly, we in the WWF Baltic Programme recognise that only together can we be successful in influencing Baltic Sea policies.

Although frameworks and policies that could transform an ailing Baltic into a restored and thriving sea exist at the regional (HELCOM and EU) and national level, and improvements have been made, implementation has been sluggish.

Current policy is saying many of the right things, but implementation is lacking and they are not being translated into the right action on the ground. There is still a lag and disconnect in applying a holistic approach to managing the pressures of human activities within the carrying capacity of the ecosystem.

The Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission – HELCOM

International cooperation through fora like HELCOM play a pivotal role in not only improving the protecting and restoring the environment but also as a bridge for collaboration on future topics and issues the region faces.

Created in 1974, the Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission also known as “HELCOM” is an intergovernmental platform for recognised member states to discuss and set environmental policy at the regional level. It also admits other nations, prominent intergovernmental organisations, and non-governmental organisations, including WWF, as formal observers. The commission addresses and sets recommendations on issues that require regional cooperation, like responding to oil spills and ship pollution, reducing hazardous substances, marine litter and underwater noise, reducing land-based nutrient pollution, ensuring connected marine protected areas, and harmonizing national marine strategies and maritime spatial plans.

What do we want from policy?

Robust sustainable marine policy

We advocate for efficient marine protected areas and for ecosystem-based marine spatial plans , work to reduce overfishing and the use of destructive gears such as bottom trawling, and improve the traceability of fish products to ensure they are sustainably caught. We push for ecosystem-based sustainable fisheries quotas in line with ecosystem-based scientific advice.

By 2030, the Baltic Sea should be fully managed via a coherent network of transboundary, ecosystem-based maritime spatial plans representing marine protected areas covering 30% of the sea, with 10% of the protected area strictly protected.
Ecosystem-based fisheries management to ensure healthy and restored fish stocks.
Destructive fishing gear must be banned from specific Marine Protected Areas and other sensitive areas to support the recovery of the Baltic Sea.

Robust sustainable agricultural and freshwater policy

We act as a regional voice, raising issues and stimulating dialogue, seeking to harmonize national ambitions for meeting nutrient reduction targets. We advocate for healthy, free-flowing rivers and restored wetlands in the Baltic Sea catchment area by demonstrating good examples.

By 2030, we aim to have public and private stakeholders committed to source-to-sea approaches in water management, sustainable agriculture, and safeguarding species and habitats.
National Common Agriculture Policy strategic plans to be translated into actions that support sustainable agriculture and water management with financial incentives for farmers to reduce their negative impacts.

Hold HELCOM and Baltic Sea countries to a high standard on Baltic matters

As active observers of HELCOM, we advocate for a full and ambitious implementation of the Baltic Sea Action Plan and EU nature directives to restore and protect the Baltic Sea at regional and national levels.
WWF is committed to establishing policy positions for decision-makers on the latest environmental issues in the Baltic.

Careful integration of sustainable blue economy into marine policy

For environmental health to be factored into investment decisions by finance actors resulting in shareholders redirecting capital towards companies that value a Sustainable (Blue) Economy.
Advocate that all Blue Economy actors—around the Baltic Sea and beyond— use the Principles for a Sustainable Blue Economy and embed these definitions, descriptions, and actions into marine policy and activities.

Uptake best practices at the local and national level into regional policy

One of the key strengths of the WWF Baltic Programme is our ability to draw attention to local best practices how well countries are planning and managing sea resources and whether they are taking necessary steps towards ensuring a restored, healthy Baltic Sea.