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According to the Reform Declaration of the CBSS of 2008, environment is one of the long-term priorities of the CBSS. It is now unanimously recognised that the state of our common sea is alarming. The problems include eutrophication, overfishing, marine littering, unsustainable production and many others. The sea is also being one of the busiest shipping routes in the world. Climate change calls for more environmentally friendly solutions for energy production and transport, it also requires the engagement of local communities as well as each and every person. A careful consideration should be given to the land use priorities. We need to balance the different uses of land, including forests, and take decisions based on the principle of sustainable spatial planning. The development of urban and rural areas should be furthered in an integrated way, allowing for preservation of healthy eco-systems but also serving the needs of the residents.
At the same time the Baltic Sea region is known as one of the world most prosperous regions with high social standards and a large number of highly educated people.
The goal is to create economically viable societies functioning with environmentally benign impacts. Sustainability is a key to our success. This can only be done by applying the multi-stakeholder approach allowing for continues dialogue across sectors, society groups and borders.
CBSS and its Expert Group on Sustainable Development - Baltic 21 provide a reliable platform for such a dialogue as well as for generating solutions to be implemented in the form of projects. By way of Lighthouse Projects, Baltic 21 aims to demonstrate sustainable development in practice. Baltic 21 currently has 6 ongoing projects on the various topics within sustainable development and will continue the practical work focused on projects. Likewise, Baltic 21 will work on policy development feeding into the continued dialogue between governments and stakeholders and turning project outcomes into political recommendations.
Meetings of the Ministers of Environment
The 1st Meeting of the CBSS Ministers of the Environment took place on 20-21 October 1996, in Saltsjöbaden, Sweden. The decision to develop the Agenda 21 for the Baltic Sea Region was taken at this meeting. This was followed by the 2nd meeting of the CBSS Ministers of the Environment which took place in Luleå, Sweden, on 29 August 2003 and resulted in the Declaration and the commitment to promote further actions in the areas of marine environment, energy, sustainable consumption and production and cross-sectoral participatory work.
An informal Ministerial meeting was held on 23 November 2005 in Stockholm, Sweden, when Baltic 21 project orientaion was especially highlighted. The meeting drew attention to the need to jointly implement the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan, further develop economic incentives to reduce emissions, implement eco-system approach, increase focused research, and strengthen participation of all levels of society.
Joint high level meeting of representatives from the ministries of agriculture and environment took place in 2007 in Sweden resulting in a joint statement emphasising i.a. an integrated policy approach, public awareness and practical work on sustainable development, and calling for concrete actions on behalf of the EU, CBSS and Baltic 21.
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