Restoring Waters in the Baltic Sea Region A Strategy for Municipalities and Local Governments to Capture Economic and Environmental Benefits 4.3.2015
Introduction This report was commissioned by Zennström Philanthropies to better understand local benefits from restoring the waters in the Baltic Sea region. The aim of the report is to encourage increased action on local level and inspire decision makers on what measures to implement. The report builds on findings from a municipality survey with ~250 respondents, ~60 interviews with topic experts, and engagement with key stakeholders. 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 1
Conclusions 1. Local actions are crucial to restoring the Baltic Sea, but 2/3 are either unaware of the problem or lack resources to effectively address it 2. The benefits of water restoration are both environmental and economic - 270 million in gross output can be captured between 2015 and 2030 for an average municipality 3. Multiple proven measures can be implemented to restoring the waters, and 40 percent costs can be saved if applying a structured approach when prioritizing measures 4. Best practice examples from leading municipalities show four actions crucial to becoming an attractive community 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 2
2/3 of municipalities unaware of Baltic Sea's state or lack sufficient resources to address it High Contribution to nutrient load reduction Unarmed Leaders <1% Executors ~30% Low Unaware ~25% ~45% Time 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 3
Conclusions 1. Local actions are crucial to restoring the Baltic Sea, but 2/3 are either unaware of the problem or lack resources to effectively address it 2. The benefits of water restoration are both environmental and economic - 270 million in gross output can be captured between 2015 and 2030 for an average municipality 3. Multiple proven measures can be implemented to restoring the waters, and 40 percent costs can be saved if applying a structured approach when prioritizing measures 4. Best practice examples from leading municipalities show four actions crucial to becoming an attractive community 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 4
270 million economic impact within an average municipality comparing two scenarios Total economic impact for an average municipality ( million) 2015-2030 Impact at 2030 in Baltic Sea region 400 300 170 270+ Clear waters state 200 100 70 10 900 000 jobs 2% of total labor supply 0 20 Water technology industries Tourism & Recreational fishing Real Estate (Property values) Supporting industries Additional beneifts Total impact Shipwrecked state # fulltime jobs 200 700 1,900 2,800 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 5
Additional potential for municipalities if stimulating innovation in region Municipalities can drive the innovation agenda Stimulate innovation Create company hub and R&D centers Use Baltic Sea as test bed Opportunity to use eutrophication state for testing innovations Economic trading potential Leveraging innovations favors export opportunities International inspiration Singapore example Tripled water sector companies to ~150 Surpassed target of 11,000 jobs in water sector by '15 Grants from government of 190 million to >100 R&D projects Ninefold increase in R&Dcenters from 3 to 26 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 6
Conclusions 1. Local actions are crucial to restoring the Baltic Sea, but 2/3 are either unaware of the problem or lack resources to effectively address it 2. The benefits of water restoration are both environmental and economic - 270 million in gross output can be captured between 2015 and 2030 for an average municipality 3. Multiple proven measures can be implemented to restoring the waters, and up to 40 percent costs can be saved if applying a structured approach when prioritizing measures 4. Best practice examples from leading municipalities show four actions crucial to becoming an attractive community 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 7
Key recommendations for each action area and case examples from the region Key recommendation Municipality examples Agriculture Wastewater Cooperation with farmers to reach win-win solutions Complement targeted investments with policies By offering free advisory to farmers on best-practice farming to reduce tonnes of phosphorus and nitrogen By using a special type of reactor, a farmer reduces cost for fertilizers by recycling nutrients from wastewater Riga upgraded their wastewater plant which enabled nutrient reductions corresponding to 40% and 70% of Latvia's phosphorus and nitrogen reduction target Södertälje introduces policy to increase recycling of nutrients from scattered settlements 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 8
Key recommendations for each action area and case examples from the region Key recommendation Municipality examples Stormwater Restoration Nutrient reduction with additional benefits Remediating environmental conditions & damaged areas Berlin use a Biotope Area Factor policy, making all new buildings include a special share of green areas Helsinki has introduced a policy for construction companies, giving them the responsibility for cleaning run-off from explosions rich of nitrogen Värmdö restored a wetland with estimated value of ~ 2 million Improved biodiversity and recreational value Submariner lists innovative uses of Baltic Marine resources 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 9
40% costs saved by using a structured approach for prioritization Cost-effectiveness per measure: Total cost per kg P reduced ( /kg P) 1,200 1,000 800 Agricultural municipalities can save most costs Mid-sized city ~10% 600 400 Agricultural municipality ~40% 200 0 Archipelago municipality ~20% 0% 20% 40% 60% 80% 100% % of local nutrient reduction target (kg P) = additional measures when comparing costs 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 10
National targets can be translated into annual reduction targets per 1,000 inhabitants Municipality reduction targets (kg/1,000) Sweden Finland Denmark Germany Poland Estonia Latvia Lithuania Phosphorus 60 70 10 50 200 250 110 500 Nitrogen 780 460 180 620 1,030 1,210 710 2,850 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 11
Conclusions 1. Local actions are crucial to restoring the Baltic Sea, but 2/3 are either unaware of the problem or lack resources to effectively address it 2. The benefits of water restoration are both environmental and economic - 270 million in gross output can be captured between 2015 and 2030 for an average municipality 3. Multiple proven measures can be implemented to restoring the waters, and 40 percent costs can be saved if applying a structured approach when prioritizing measures 4. Best practice examples from leading municipalities show four actions crucial to becoming an attractive community 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 12
Four actions crucial for restoring the waters and becoming an attractive community Set strategic direction Engage local stakeholders Cooperate across borders Resources and funding Define ambition for nutrient reduction and develop the municipality strategy for how to reach the goals Raise public awareness and engage with local initiatives and organizations Cooperate with other municipalities and organizations Secure sufficient resources, competence and long-term funding 150304_RestoringWatersInTheBalticSeaRegion_HELCOM_vF.pptx 13
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