Overall goals and core indicators for sustainable development

The essential objective of Baltic Sea Region co-operation is the constant improvement of the living and working conditions of their peoples within the framework of sustainable development, sustainable management of natural resources, and protection of the environment. Sustainable development includes three mutually interdependent dimensions - economic, social and environmental.

This means for the region:

• A safe and healthy life for current and future generations.
  
  Indicators:
  • Life expectancy at birth
  • Infant mortality rate
  • Population ozone exposure
    
    
• A co-operative and prosperous economy and a society for all.
  
  Indicators:
  • Regional GDP/capita, including lowest versus highest GDP/capita in the region
  • Income distribution
  • Unemployment rates
  • Inflation
    

• That local and regional co-operation is based on democracy, openness and participation.
  
  Indicators:
  • Participation in national and local elections
    

• That biological and ecosystem diversity and productivity are restored or maintained.
  

• That pollution to the atmosphere, land and water does not exceed the carrying capacity of nature.
  
  Indicators:
  • CO₂ emissions
  • SO₂ emissions
  • NO_x emissions
  • Land area where depositions are above critical loads for acidification and eutrophication
  • Load of nutrients to the Baltic Sea
  • Emission and discharges of metals to the Baltic Sea
  • Consumption of ozone depleting substances
  • Protected areas versus total area
    

• That renewable resources are efficiently used and managed, within their regeneration capacity. That materials flow of non-renewable resources are made efficient and cyclic, and that renewable substitutes are created and promoted.
  
  Indicators:
  • Energy intensity (energy supply versus GDP)
  • Renewable energy/total energy supply
    

• That awareness of the elements and processes leading to sustainability is high among different actors and levels of society. The Baltic Sea Region recognises its interdependence with other parts of the world and makes its contribution to the fulfilment of sustainable development goals at the global and European level.