Litter, sewage and marine nature – how Helsinki is reducing pollution of the Baltic Sea

Our Baltic Sea is a closed and fragile system. It receives nutrients, pollutants and litter from both land and sea. Urban land use, transport, waste and water management and construction all directly affect the quality of sea water. 

Helsinki is a big player in this: the maritime area covers about 70% of Helsinki's total surface area, or about 502.5 km², with about 130 km of shoreline and around 300 islands. This is why the city's actions play a major role in improving the state of the Baltic Sea. 

The new nature conservation area programme aims to give a protected status to more than 10% of Helsinki's marine area.

Catchment areas and protection of marine nature

Helsinki is shifting the focus of water protection work in the catchment area from general solutions to more targeted and site-specific measures. Based on water quality and flow measurements, we will identify the streams, rivers and small waterbodies with the highest levels of soil particles and other debris carried to the sea and target restoration and protection measures to these.

“In the future, increasingly large marine areas will also be protected. It is the above-mentioned valuable areas that are of particular ecological importance. The new nature conservation area programme aims to give a protected status to more than 10% of Helsinki's marine area. At the same time, coastal and marine habitats that are important for spawning, birdlife and submerged microbiomes will be reviewed and protected. Conservation is not just about demarcating areas, but also about practical management of the areas and invasive species control. Conservation also does not mean placing any significant restrictions on the recreational use of the waterbodies, says Miira Riipinen, City of Helsinki's Director of Environmental Affairs. 

Helsinki continues to actively restore nature in the urban landscape. The restoration of shallow bays, coastal grasslands and common eelgrass beds will be carried out to recover habitats that support fish spawning grounds, birdlife and the diversity of microbiomes. Restoration combines natural solutions with long-term management – the aim is to restore the natural workings of ecosystems and thereby reduce the effects of eutrophication.

“The city wants to take water sustainability into account in all its procurements, from construction projects to street maintenance. Requirements for reducing water pollution will be set for supply chains. Additionally, measures such as worksite water management guidelines, chemical handling procedures and supervision help reduce the amount of harmful substances entering waterbodies,” says Riipinen. 

Reducing the impact of maritime transport and carrying out research

Shore-side electricity is provided to ships in ports, and the city also receives wastewater from vessels. These actions will reduce emissions, as well as oil and waste pollution of the marine environment. The growing port services for cargo ships and stricter environmental controls are also part of the solution. Reducing transport emissions at the city level will also reduce airborne nutrient discharges to water.

"Helsinki is investing in monitoring water quality and beaches, as well as in research cooperation, both internationally and locally. All of the above actions that Helsinki is taking to improve the state of the Baltic Sea can be found in the Baltic Sea Action Plan 2024–2028. This is the fourth joint programme with the City of Turku. Baltic Sea Challenge is a network set up in 2007 by the cities of Helsinki and Turku, inviting all operators to commit to protecting their local waters through concrete water protection actions".

“Actions by the city alone are not enough; the commitment of residents and businesses is also needed. Helsinki is investing in environmental education in schools, at workplaces and in volunteer networks and organises events such as Baltic Sea Day workshops. We also invite the city residents to participate in beach restorations and clean-ups. Raising awareness will further help to change everyday choices and increase the pressure to make policy and procurement decisions that benefit the whole Baltic Sea,” says Riipinen, Helsinki's Director of Environmental Affairs.