The Contribution of Space Technologies to Arctic Policy Priorities

Convention for the Protection of the Marine Environment of the North-East Atlantic (OSPAR) Policy Implications Sovereignty N/A Safety

The policy is also aimed at reducing harmful substances that are toxic or have other noxious properties affecting living organisms including humans. The policy is directly aimed at the prevention and elimination of pollution and the protection of the OSPAR maritime area. The policy is focussed on the reduction of the impact on the environment of pollution from land-based sources, pollution by dumping from ships and incineration; pollution from offshore sources and pollution from other sources. There are measures to cover non-polluting human activities that can adversely affect the marine environment (annex on biodiversity and ecosystems of 1998).

Environment

Economic Development

N/A

Indigenous and Social Development

N/A

Capability to: yy Monitor pollution from land-based sources, dumping and incineration, offshore sources, other sources yy Assess the quality of the marine environment yy Assess the impact of human activities on human health yy Develop best practices Information on: yy Distribution of harmful substances (including oil slicks and marine debris). yy Distribution of pollution (source, qualitative, quantitative) leading to adverse effects in the marine environment including eutrophication (monitoring of chlorophyll concentration in surface waters) yy Maritime traffic and other coastal and offshore human activities yy Distribution of biodiversity including marine and coastal habitats and ecosystems. yy Water properties yy Physical properties: Sea surface temperature, salinity, turbidity yy Chemical properties: pH, dissolved oxygen, nutrients yy Biological properties: surface chlorophyll concentration for primary productivity estimates, dissolved organic matter, suspended particulate organic matter. Jurisdiction: The Parties to the Convention are all the States surrounding the Baltic Sea. (Denmark, Estonia, Finland, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Russia and Sweden) plus the European Community. Responsible Organizations: Respective Governments and the European Commission/ The Helsinki Commission - Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission (HELCOM) is the governing body, working through intergovernmental co- operation. Status: The text of the convention was adopted in 1992 and entered into force on 17 January 2000. Type: Multilateral treaty. Coverage: The Convention covers the whole of the Baltic Sea area (the Baltic Sea and the entrance to the Baltic Sea bounded by the parallel of the Skaw in the Skagerrak at 57° 44.43’N), including internal waters as well as the water of the sea itself and the sea-bed with their living resources and other forms of marine life. Measures are also taken in the whole catchment area of the Baltic Sea to reduce land-based pollution. The Convention aims to prevent and eliminate pollution in order to promote the ecological restoration of the Baltic Sea Area and the preservation of its ecological balance. The Parties will yy Follow the precautionary principle yy Promote the use of best environmental practice and best available technology yy Apply the polluter-pays principle yy Monitor emissions of pollutants in a scientifically appropriate manner yy Avoid risks in the implementation of the convention resulting in transboundary pollution affecting regions outside the Baltic Sea area, or involving increases or changes in waste disposal or other activities that could increase health risks. Any measures taken must not lead to unacceptable environmental strains on the atmosphere, soils, water bodies or groundwater. Web link: http://www.helcom.fi/Convention/en_GB/text/ (Home), http://www.helcom.fi/stc/files/Convention/Conv1108.pdf (PDF)

Capability Requirements

Information Requirements

B.2.2 Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area Facts in Brief

Policy Objectives

63 B. INVENTORY OF ARCTIC POLICIES AND INDUSTRY INTERESTS