Mr Gunnar Norén Executive Secretary to Coalition Clean Baltic

1. Reflections on CCB-achievements reached so far – success factors CCB Baltic 2015 Conference, 25 April 2015, Vilnius Mr Gunnar Norén Executive Secretary toCoalition Clean Baltic

2. CCB achievements * CCB has developed a stronger voice for citizens groups. Developed stronger Env NGOs in Rus, Est, Lat, Lith, Pol and in Germ, Den, Swe, Finland, Belarus and Ukraine Fisheries · CCB has highlighted the devastating Baltic fisheries practices, with problems with overfishing, discards, by-catch , and now Baltic fisheries issue is on the political agenda • CCB has through recurrent demands, reached openness and transparency for citizens (NGOs) with the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC) ·Phase-out of Baltic Sea salmon drift-nets from 1 Jan 2008 · Cod fisheries management is now separated for the Baltic East and West cod stocks

3. ·Harmful installations · CCB initiated a new HELCOM recommendation to remove radio nuclide batteries in light-houses in the Baltic Sea · Better processes for Public hearings on EIA on new big Installations ·HELCOM recommendation on New Installations in the Baltic Sea (17/3), includes requirements on EIA for e.g. submarine electrical cables, submarine pipelines, oil-platforms etc · Contribute to better EIAs and reporting from Russian oil-companies

6. CCB produced in 2003 the CCB year-book “ Harmful installations in the Baltic Sea Region” incl topics: - Increased Maritime Safety for the North and the Baltic Sea- Oil Transportation and Oil Terminals in the Northern part of the Baltic Sea - LUKOIL company: Imitation of a good image – plans for oil extraction outside Kaliningrad A CCB Priority Area: “Prevention of installations and transports harmful to the Baltic Sea environment and coastal areas”

9. * Results from Campaign to Stop D-6 oil platform • Oil extraction was not stopped But • Best Available Technology (BAT) was introduced. Highest international standard • No wastewater discharges (everything brought to land) • High standard oil monitoring was introduced

11. - International & national campaign for Latvian and Lithuanian small rivers Succesful result: -214 Latvian rivers/ river stretches (NGO list of 240 rivers) were protected, prohibited to construct new dams - 112 Lithuanian rivers/ river stretches were protected from dams • Campaign to Stop harmful hydropower/dams

12. - WARNING for new proposals for big installations with national/trans-boundry impact (Oil-terminals , harbours , oil-platforms)

13. (Wild Baltic salmon threatened)

14. Fish-ladder in Vilnia river ·CCB and LGM-Zvejone club took the initiatives for construction of the first Fish-ladder in Vilnia river, Lithuania Experts provided the outline of a Denil-type of fish-way ·CCB paid 50 % and Lithuanian Ministry of Environment paid 50 %. ·

15. Shipping and oil ·CCB highlighted the risk of increased oil-handling in the Baltic region, and raised the issue on the political agenda. Influenced more environmentally friendly oil handling and construction of harbours. ·CCB proposed for the first time Baltic Sea as a PSSA, at HELCOM Min. Meeting , 2001 . PSSA status was decided on in April 2004. ·

19. Wastewater management ·Sustainable wastewater management in Baltic Sea region Awareness raising – small steps forward New HELCOM recommendation-Single family-homes sewage treatment (2007) Coastal management ·Coastal protection – stop consumption of valuable coastal areas Raised awareness a bit – negative development is on-going

23. HELCOM achievements on Openness and Transparency Early 1990s – only Commission meeting open for observers Mid 1990s – Committees and Working Groups opened for observers 2002 – also Heads of Delegation group opened for observers Now all HELCOM official meetings open for observers HELCOM can serve as a good example for other International Conventions ( e g OSPAR )

24. Advocating for new HELCOM actions HELCOM new Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) Start- March 2006 – adopted 15 November 2007, Krakow by Baltic region environmental ministers Include: - Ecological quality criteria - 4 areas – Eutrophication , Biodiversity, Hazardous substances, Maritime

25. Examples of agreed Actions - thanks to NGOs – Identify and create a List of Agricultural Hot Spots for Industrial Animal Farms, not fulfilling the HELCOM Annex III, to the convention • Active protection of at least 10 threatened wild salmon river populations in 2009 • Various actions for sustainable fisheries management

26. Importance of civil society involvement - NGOs push governments to implement adopted Actions - NGOs are important partners for governments (if they have ambitions) • NGOs guarantee that important facts and political sensitive matters will be discussed, contributing to a better environment • Many Baltic governments and EC see the value of NGOs - Financing must be available , that NGO can apply for on National and International , to develop knowledgable, competent and serious-working NGOs

27. Lessons learnt and Recommendations - Maintain High credibility - NGOs must always strictly keep to the protection of environment and sustainable use of natural resources. No “hidden agenda”. • NGOs should co-operate will all actors and political parties to reach the environment Goals set up - NGOs can, if they “play the cards” succesfully, have a substantial influence on International environmental policies - NGOs must seek support from one or many governments in International Commissions, to have a say • Develop clear Priority areas/activities for the NGO Network, as a common ground for all activities. All member NGOs must be satisfied. • Financing – try to avoid NGO-competition on same financing sources (International & National funding)

28. Lessons learnt and Recommendations • Be competent and knowledgeable in your areas • Always scientific backing • Lobby political decisions and its implementation takes time. Long-term commitments. • To enjoy sustainability on the global scale we need to implement principles of sustainable development on the local level. * Sustainable development needs a policy, which guarantees the participation of citizens in the process of planning and decision-making

29. Strengths of CCB • activities both on the international, national and local level at the same time • covering the whole Baltic Sea Region • 25 years of experience • O.8 million members • Genuine knowledge and experience within the network • Extensive information and knowledge exchange within the network identifies important tasks for CCB to emphasize

31. * Show good examples of sustainable solutions • Produce CCB-reports & info-materials • Organise Study-trips ( study visits)

32. ·CCB highlighted the risk of increased oil-handling in the Baltic region, and raised the issue on the political agenda. Influenced more environmentally friendly oil handling and construction of harbours. ·CCB proposed for the first time Baltic Sea as a PSSA, at HELCOM Min. Meeting , 2001 . PSSA status was decided on in April 2004. ·CCB has through recurrent demands, reached openness and transparency for citizens (NGOs) within all HELCOM bodies, and with the International Baltic Sea Fishery Commission (IBSFC) ·Phase-out of Baltic Sea salmon drift-nets from 1 Jan 2008