WWF Baltic Ecoregion Programme

Since 1992

Our vision

A healthy, productive and resilient Baltic region, sustainably and equitably managed for the well-being of people and nature.

Human pressures like unsustainable farming practices, overfishing, pollution and the effects of the climate crisis are altering the ecological balance and depleting renewable resources. We are now losing many of the ecosystem goods and services that nature has provided for free since the dawn of time. By prioritizing sustainability over exploitation and combining science with local knowledge, WWF works towards transformation of the Baltic to a healthy and productive, and resilient region that benefits people and nature. We are a diverse, ambitious and influential force, working to conserve and restore the health of the Baltic Sea.

WWF launched its Baltic Programme in 1992. The programme:

  • Leverages conservation leadership, regional perspective, local knowledge, and expertise across the WWF network and unites the work of 8 national offices.
  • Applies pressure on public and private stakeholders to commit to a source-to-sea approach to water management, sustainable agriculture and safeguarding species and habitats.
  • Advocates for strong environmental policies for the Baltic Sea at  EU, regional and national levels and is one of the non-governmental organizations that has Observer status at HELCOM (Baltic Marine Environment Protection Commission).
  • Pushes for sustainable fisheries and a coherent network of transboundary, ecosystem-based marine spatial plans including marine protected areas covering 30% of the sea, with one-third of those (10% of the sea) strictly protected,
  • Advocates for environmental health are factored into investment decisions by finance actors resulting in redirection towards a sustainable blue economy.

Read our strategy

WWF Baltic programme work

Policy priorities

The policy framework of the Baltic region is complex. Policy practice is all about providing expert advice and direction to guide what decisions are made, how they’re applied, and who’s accountable. Strong policy makes for strong governance.

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Land

Humanity’s footprint of production and consumption is a key driver of nature loss. This calls for a collective movement towards improved nutrient recycling, applying circular economic models and sustainable farming practices in food production.

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Marine

We depend on oceans for the food we eat, the climate we live in, and the air we breathe. They sustain the world around us. In the Baltic, the sea’s unique ecosystem provides food, livelihood, and cultural identity for the 85 million people living in the region. Yet, human activity has officially pushed the sea to its limits.

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Sustainable finance

Business as usual is no longer an option. Environmental degradation from economic activities poses enormous risks for the finance world.

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