Protecting the Baltic Sea
Helsinki has been protecting the Baltic Sea by carrying out voluntary Baltic Sea Challenge action plans. The measures planned for the 2024–2028 period have progressed, but the full implementation of the plan by the end of the period is uncertain.
The goal of the assessment
The main question of the evaluation was whether Helsinki is protecting the Baltic Sea in line with the City Strategy. The evaluation examined whether Helsinki has implemented or promoted the measures of the Baltic Sea Challenge for the 2024–2028 period, and whether the implementation of the measures not implemented in the 2019–2023 period has been continued or whether their discontinuation has been justififed. It also looked at how Helsinki has implemented or promoted the marine protection measures in the Litter Control Action Plan. The Baltic Sea Challenge is a programme launched by Helsinki and Turku in 2007, in which a network of different organisations works together to protect the Baltic Sea.
Conclusions
The assessment shows that Helsinki has largely protected the Baltic Sea in line with its City Strategy. Helsinki has promoted all the measures for the 2024–2028 Baltic Sea Challenge that were supposed to start at the beginning of the period. It is unlikely that measures to reduce stormwater pollution and coordinate overall water management will be in place by 2028. Five of the Baltic Sea Challenge measures for the 2024–2028 period have either been implemented or are likely to be implemented by the end of 2028. The feasibility of four measures could not be assessed, either because of shortcomings in the target levels or in the monitoring indicators. Helsinki has continued or is continuing with measures that were not implemented or not completed during the 2019–2023 Baltic Sea Challenge period.
Recommendations of the Audit Committee
The Environmental Services Unit of the Urban Environment Division must
- set target levels for all measures of the Baltic Sea Challenge for the 2024–2028 period and indicators for monitoring their implementation.
- ensure that the measures have responsible parties who have the ability to concretely further the measures in question.
- increase cooperation with HSY to implement the Baltic Sea Challenge measures in which HSY’s input is needed.
The Urban Environment Division must
- designate clear responsible parties for the development of the coordination of overall water management.