Cleaning Up the Past for a Better Baltic Sea Future – Impakter
Cleaning Up the Past for a Better Baltic Sea Future Impakter
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Actions Taken by Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) to Address Munitions Threat and Promote Wind Energy
The actions taken in the aftermath of World War II continue to have a significant impact on the world today. One such example is how current member countries of the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) are addressing the threat of munitions to shipping security while also exploring opportunities for wind energy installations in the area.
The Backstory: Dumping of Nazi munitions and chemical weapons in the Baltic Sea after 1945
At the end of World War II, the United States, Britain, and the Soviet Union decided to dump Nazi Germany’s stockpile of unused munitions and chemical weapons in the Atlantic and Baltic seas. Britain and America concentrated their dumping in the English Channel, Denmark, and Sweden, while the Soviet dumping took place in Latvian and Danish waters.
The exact quantities dumped by the three countries are difficult to estimate, but it is believed to be around 400,000 tons of conventional munitions and 40,000 tons of chemical warfare agents.
Fears are now rising over the environmental impact of these weapons as they are reported to be leaking at the bottom of the Baltic Sea.
Efforts to coordinate a response: The role of the Baltic States Sea Council
The Baltic States Sea Council (CBSS) was established in 1992 to improve cooperative efforts among countries in the Baltic Sea region. It includes all eight Baltic Sea coastal states, along with Norway, Iceland, and the European Union.
In March 2022, Russia was suspended from further participation in the Council’s activities due to its invasion of Ukraine. This decision was made based on the violation of fundamental principles for cooperation within the Council.
The Council’s recent decisions: What to do with the “undersea risks” of Nazi weapons and planning for alternative wind power energy
The CBSS has identified the dangers posed by the post-1945 deposits of conventional and chemical weapons in the Baltic Sea. It has also recognized the opportunity to increase wind energy in the region.
In July 2023, the CBSS issued a crucial Declaration expressing concern over the environmental, safety, security, and economic risks associated with the dumped munitions. Germany has initiated a national action program to address salvaging underwater munitions and has allocated 100 million Euros for this purpose.
The Council’s declaration also welcomes the update of the EU Maritime Security Strategy and its Action Plan, which includes proposals for measures on underwater munitions in the Baltic Sea.
Next steps are needed
The CBSS Declaration and Germany’s commitment of 100 million Euros reflect high-level attention and interest in addressing the threats posed by the dumped munitions. Concrete steps are expected to be taken to remove this threat and ensure the safety of human, animal, and environmental health in the Baltic Sea region.
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
- SDG 14: Life Below Water
- Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution.
- Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density.
- Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans.
- Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
- Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism.
- Indicator 14.7.1: Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing states, least developed countries, and all countries.
- SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix.
- Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
Explanation
The issues highlighted in the article are connected to SDG 14: Life Below Water and SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy.
Under SDG 14, the article discusses the dumping of Nazi munitions and chemical weapons in the Baltic Sea after World War II, which poses a threat to marine life and the marine environment. The article also mentions efforts by the Council of the Baltic Sea States (CBSS) to address this issue and protect the marine ecosystem. The targets relevant to this issue are Target 14.1, which aims to prevent and reduce marine pollution, and Target 14.2, which focuses on the sustainable management and protection of marine ecosystems. The indicators mentioned in the article are Indicator 14.1.1, which measures coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density, and Indicator 14.2.1, which measures the proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches.
Under SDG 7, the article discusses the proposal to build additional wind energy installations in the Baltic Sea. This relates to Target 7.2, which aims to increase the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. The indicator mentioned in the article is Indicator 7.2.1, which measures the renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption.
Table: SDGs, Targets, and Indicators
| SDGs | Targets | Indicators |
|---|---|---|
| SDG 14: Life Below Water | Target 14.1: By 2025, prevent and significantly reduce marine pollution of all kinds, in particular from land-based activities, including marine debris and nutrient pollution. | Indicator 14.1.1: Index of coastal eutrophication and floating plastic debris density. |
| Target 14.2: By 2020, sustainably manage and protect marine and coastal ecosystems to avoid significant adverse impacts, including by strengthening their resilience, and take action for their restoration in order to achieve healthy and productive oceans. | Indicator 14.2.1: Proportion of national exclusive economic zones managed using ecosystem-based approaches. | |
| Target 14.7: By 2030, increase the economic benefits to small island developing states and least developed countries from the sustainable use of marine resources, including through sustainable management of fisheries, aquaculture, and tourism. | Indicator 14.7.1: Sustainable fisheries as a proportion of GDP in small island developing states, least developed countries, and all countries. | |
| SDG 7: Affordable and Clean Energy | Target 7.2: By 2030, increase substantially the share of renewable energy in the global energy mix. | Indicator 7.2.1: Renewable energy share in the total final energy consumption. |
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Source: impakter.com
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