Kai Mykkänen
Minister
of Climate and the Environment
Finland
When my family and I embark on our sailing trips, we never miss the chance to dive into the refreshing waters of the Baltic Sea. Sadly, these opportunities are becoming increasingly rare as algae blooms, driven by the Baltic’s severe pollution, continue to spoil this experiment year after year.
The state of the Baltic Sea is undeniably alarming. The water pollution is clear to be seen, with algae blooms caused by eutrophication standing as a reminder of decades of neglect. Excessive nutrients from agricultural runoff have been flowing into the Baltic Sea for far too long, contributing to this ongoing crisis.
Improving the Baltic Sea’s condition is a collective responsibility, and in Finland, we are committed to leading by example. We are starting with the most immediate and impactful measures. This year, we will implement a ban on discharging sewage from ships into the Baltic Sea, a move that, while only enforceable within Finnish territorial waters, underscores the need for international cooperation to ensure that this harmful practice is truly halted. Additionally, we will amend the Environmental Protection Act to prohibit the dumping of dirty snow into the sea. These are straightforward actions that can be quickly implemented, but they are only the beginning.
The most pressing issue, however, remains the nutrient runoff from agricultural fields into the Baltic Sea. This is not a recent problem; it has developed over decades as nutrients have been carried from fields to rivers and from rivers to the sea. This is also a security matter and the solution for this will also improve our self-sufficiency. Nutrients can and need to be circulated, which would allow us to improve the domesticity of our food production by reducing the need for imported fertilizers. It is crucial that nutrient-rich manure is transported from areas with nutrient surpluses to nutrient-poor regions. Supporting the processing of manure nutrients into a more easily transportable form is part of improving agricultural security. One could even argue that it is foolish to import tens of thousands of tons of phosphorus fertilizers to Finland from abroad, while with effective recycling, we could replace nearly 90% of the usage according to the estimate by the Natural Resources Institute Finland, thus becoming almost self-sufficient in phosphorus fertilizers.
National actions are crucial for improving the condition of our shared sea, but there are challenges that can only be addressed through cooperation. Recently, I have discussed with my colleagues the immediate and direct threat posed by the increasing number of Russian oil tankers navigating the Gulf of Finland. These vessels do not always meet Western maritime safety standards, raising the risk of an oil spill in the Baltic Sea—a risk that is deeply concerning.
But what can be done? Are we limited to merely preparing for an environmental disaster, monitoring these aging tankers as they sail off our coast, posing significant environmental risks and financing Putin’s war project in Ukraine? The solution is not simple. The principle of innocent passage is highly valued in international maritime law, but exceptions exist. A state has the right to intervene if a vessel deliberately endangers the environment, particularly if it poses a significant threat to the natural resources within its territorial waters or economic zone. Finland’s options are limited, as these ships operate in international waters near our coast, but by working with Denmark and larger at the EU level, we must find solutions before this threat turns into a catastrophe. Meanwhile, one concrete response to this increased risk could be relocating EMSA's oil spill response vessel further north in the Baltic Sea.
Another area where cross-border cooperation is essential is in reducing emissions from maritime traffic. The maritime industry, along with the International Maritime Organization (IMO), has set ambitious targets. By 2030, greenhouse gas emissions from ships must be reduced by at least 20% compared to 2008 levels, and at least 70% by 2040. The IMO’s ultimate goal is to achieve carbon neutrality in maritime transport by 2050. Within the EU, we have the opportunity to lead by example, implementing legislation and regulations that encourage the global maritime industry to meet these goals.
The condition of the Baltic Sea will improve if we take consistent, sustained action. Restoring the health of the Baltic Sea is not a sprint but a marathon, where every small step brings us closer to a cleaner, healthier sea. The state of the sea changes slowly, but precisely for this reason, action must be taken now. I still hope to take a swim next summer during our sailing trip in a Baltic Sea free from algae blooms—and oil.