The backgrond about this project.
Many pollution sources within the Baltic Sea drainage basin may harm the marine environment as well as affecting people's health and livelihoods. Carefully co-ordinated international co-operation on reducing pollution is vital.Over 50 of the 132 serious pollution areas - so called hot spots - identified around the Baltic Sea since 1992 have already been cleaned up.This positive development is the result of the implementation of the Baltic Sea Joint Comprehensive Environmental Action Programme (JCP) - the international environmental management framework for the long-term restoration of the ecological balance of the Baltic Sea.
Project consists of representatives from the European Union and every country in the Baltic Sea drainage basin as well as international financing institutions and governmental and non-governmental organisations, coordinated the implementation of the JCP during the last years. Focus was on investments made to reduce pollution from a variety of sources, including serious pollution "Hot Spots" designated by HELCOM, and on drafting management plans for sensitive coastal lagoons and wetlands.
Due to a change in priorities the Programme Implementation Task Force was closed down in June 2003 and HELCOM LAND is now responisble for the implementation of the JCP with a view to have the programme completed by 2012 at the latest.