Search Results (214)

Ports in the Baltic Sea region play an integral role in advancing sustainable maritime practices in the area, due to their geographic interconnectedness, economic importance, and sensitivity to environmental challenges. While numerous port sustainability assessment methods exist, most of which are grounded in the Triple Bottom Line (TBL) metric, many tend to emphasise whether specific targets have been met, rather than evaluating port sustainability on a scalar basis. This study explores the sustainability strategies of seven selected ports in five Baltic Sea countries using an innovative qualitative evaluation framework developed by the Swedish Maritime Competence Centre (SMCC). The SMCC model integrates the three core pillars of sustainability-environmental, social, and economic dimensions, while incorporating energy efficiency and digitalisation as critical enablers of modern port operations. The findings reveal significant variation in sustainability performance among the selected ports, shaped by regional contexts, operational profiles, and prior engagement with sustainability initiatives. Also, the results bring into light the most common sustainable practices used in the ports, e.g., LED lightning, onshore power supply, and port information systems. Full article

In this study, we examine banks’ sustainability orientations (SOs) in the Baltic region, focusing on how institutional, stakeholder, national culture, and leadership factors influence strategic alignment with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). We assess how Baltic banks integrate sustainable development using a bibliometric review, financial performance analysis, Spearman’s rank correlation, and content analysis of sustainability-related disclosures for 2023, and interpret Hofstede’s cultural dimensions of the Baltic countries alongside these results. Our bibliometric review reveals limited research on SO and SD in banking, with a gradual annual increase of 14.8%. Our content analysis findings suggest that smaller banks are more broadly aligned with the SDGs; however, 36.4% of the largest banks in the region did not have a dedicated sustainability report a year before ESRS and CSRD requirements became mandatory. Notably, the reporting approach shows no statistically significant correlation with assets, size, global/local coverage, or the number of aligned SDGs. Furthermore, our content analysis findings reveal a persistent sustainability paradox: while economic and environmental goals are strategically prioritised, social SDGs are significantly underrepresented. We propose that this reflects a lack of demand for socially sustainable development rooted in regional contexts and national culture, which shape SO and organisational and leadership responses. Full article

We examined three decades of changes in the mammal fauna of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in the context of climate variability, land use transformation, and anthropogenic pressures. We compiled distributional, abundance, and status data from publications, atlases, official game statistics, and long-term monitoring programs, and we evaluated trends using compound annual growth rates or temporal indices. Our review identified losses such as regional extinctions of garden dormice and European mink, declines in small insectivores (e.g., pond bats and shrews) and herbivores (e.g., Microtus voles), and the contraction of boreal specialists (e.g., Siberian flying squirrels). However, we also identified gains, including increases in ungulate numbers (e.g., roe deer, red deer, fallow deer, moose, and wild boars before African swine fewer outbreak) and the recovery of large carnivores (e.g., wolves and lynxes). Invasions by non-native species (e.g., American mink, raccoon dog, and raccoon) and episodic disturbances, such as African swine fever and the “anthropause” caused by the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, have further reshaped community composition. The drivers encompass climatic warming, post-socialist forest succession, intensified hunting management, and rewilding policies, with dispersal capacity mediating the responses of species. Our results underscore the dual legacy of historical land use and contemporary climate forcing in structuring the fauna dynamics of Baltic mammal communities in the face of declining specialists and invasive taxa. Full article

In this paper, we compare the determinants of CO₂ emissions: GDP per capita, energy production from renewable sources (EPREN), secondary school enrollment (SI) and urbanization (URB) for three groups of countries: SEE (South-Eastern European), Nordic, and Baltic countries during 1990–2022 by means of panel ARDL. The long-term analysis indicates that in SEE countries, URB significantly reduces CO₂ emissions (4.54%). In contrast, GDP (0.46%) and SI (0.54%) slightly increase CO₂ emissions. In the case of Baltic countries, GDP positively correlates with CO₂ (1.65%), while URB (29.27%), EPREN (0.03%), and SI (6.22%) negatively correlate with CO₂. In the case of Nordic countries, GDP (0.59%), EPREN (0.14%), and URB (18.02%) negatively impact CO₂ emissions. Regarding the Error Correction Term (ECT) dimension, the Nordic countries exhibit the fastest adjustment to shocks (−0.67), succeeded by the SEE countries (−0.44), while the Baltic countries display the slowest response (−0.27). This sequence indicates varying degrees of efficiency and speed at which each region can address fluctuations impacting CO₂ emissions. These differences may reflect variations in policy execution, infrastructure adaptability, and the general development of environmental governance across the three regions. Our research contributes by offering a comparative, region-specific econometric analysis of the long-run and short-run dynamics of CO₂ emissions in European subregions, revealing the nuanced roles of education, urbanization, and RES in shaping environmental outcomes and providing empirical evidence to inform targeted climate and development policies. Full article

Cyanobacterial harmful blooms (CyanoHABs) in lakes, estuaries, and freshwater reser-voirs represent a significant risk to water authorities worldwide due to their cyanotoxins and economic impacts. The duration, spread, and severity of CyanoHABs have markedly increased over the past decades. The article addresses CyanoHABs, cyanotoxins, and monitoring methodologies in post-Soviet and Central Asian countries. This particular region was selected for the systematic review due to its relative lack of representation in global CyanoHABs reporting, particularly in Central Asia. The main aim of this systematic review was to analyze the primary literature available from 2010–2024 to examine the current situation of CyanoHAB detection, monitoring, and management in Central Asia and post-Soviet countries. Following a detailed database search in several selected data-bases (Google Scholar, Pubmed, Web of Science (WOS), Scopus, Elibrary, ENU, and KazNU) along with additional hand searching and citation searching, 121 primary articles reporting 214 local cyanobacterial bloom cases were selected for this review. Aquatic cyanotoxins were reported in water bodies of eight countries, including high concentrations of microcystins that often exceeded reference values established by the World Health Organization (WHO). Advancing monitoring efforts in Baltic countries, Belarus, and the Russian Federation differed from only a few Central Asian reports. However, Central Asian aquatic ecosystems are especially threatened by rising anthropogenic pressures (i.e., water use, intensive agriculture, and pollution), climate change, and the lack of adequate ecological surveillance. We hypothesize that recent Caspian seal mass mortality events have been caused by a combination of infection (viral or bacterial) and exposure to algal neurotoxins resulting from harmful algal blooms of Pseudo-nitzschia. We conclude that there is an urgent need to improve the assessment of cyanobacterial blooms in Central Asia and post-Soviet countries. Full article

Ports and waterways are integral components of the maritime transport system, facilitating global trade and logistics. Governments, ports, and service providers levy charges on vessels for the use of fairways, port access, and associated services. This study analyzes the port and fairway fee strategies of seven major Baltic Sea ports across four countries: Estonia (Tallinn and Sillamäe), Latvia (Riga and Ventspils), Finland (Helsinki and HaminaKotka), and Sweden (Stockholm). The analysis evaluates the application of general port pricing principles in these ports’ strategies. The findings reveal that port fees are predominantly value-based, with tariff rates varying by vessel type and cargo. However, no uniform structure exists for fairway fees. Notably, incorporating environmental components into fairway fee calculations emerges as a promising mechanism to promote sustainability in maritime transport. By incentivizing the adoption of environmentally friendly vessels through differentiated fee structures, ports and policymakers can accelerate the transition toward greener shipping practices. This study highlights the role of economic instruments in advancing environmental objectives and emphasizes the need for a harmonized, sustainability-driven approach to fairway and port pricing in the Baltic Sea region. Full article

This study explored the association between ideal cardiovascular health behaviors (ICHBs) and mental health and well-being in Baltic adolescents using data from the 2018 HBSC survey. ICHBs included smoking status, body mass index, physical activity, and healthy diet adherence. Mental health included low mood, irritability, nervousness, and sleep difficulties, while well-being included life satisfaction and self-reported health. Multi-regression analyses were performed. The study included 12,934 adolescents (mean age: 13.6 ± 1.6 years). Non-smokers, non-overweight individuals, and physically active participants were more likely to report good mental health, higher life satisfaction, and better self-reported health. Adherence to a healthy diet was linked to improved self-reported health and greater life satisfaction. Compared to those with four ICHBs (reference), adolescents with only one ICHB had higher odds of feeling low (OR = 0.28, 95% CI: 0.13–0.62), irritability (OR = 0.35, 95% CI: 0.19–0.66), nervousness (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.13–0.55), and sleep difficulties (OR = 0.29, 95% CI: 0.14–0.61). Adolescents with two ICHBs had higher odds of feeling low (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.20–0.97) and nervousness (OR = 0.40, 95% CI: 0.19–0.83). These findings highlight the importance of promoting multiple ideal health behaviors to improve mental health and well-being among adolescents. Full article

The Baltic countries are exploring diverse ways to achieve renewable energy objectives, with a particular emphasis on utilizing photovoltaic (PV) technologies in urban areas. Despite the northerly geographical location, PV energy has proven effective, particularly in individual households under the net metering scheme. Energy communities (EC) in urban areas have the potential to support sustainable energy transition by promoting local generation and increasing resilience. However, the broader adoption of rooftop PV systems faces numerous challenges, including technical limitations and legislative gaps. This study examines challenges encountered by community energy projects in residential apartments through a case study in the Latvian context. The paper provides a comparative analysis of PV community implementation scenarios across the three types of typical apartment buildings. The study demonstrates a number of fundamental obstacles that hamper the development of ECs in apartment buildings. The results indicate that the economic benefits of ECs largely depend on electricity market price, and that selection of optimal community design is the key aspect for minimizing investment risks amid market and legislative uncertainty. Results indicate that individual households may have limited motivation to form ECs under current policies. Finally, the insights provided help shape suggestions for future research. Full article

Background and Objectives: Data on disease control, treatment, and quality of life (QoL) in patients with psoriasis from Baltic countries are lacking. In this study, we aimed to assess the disease control, treatment, and QoL of patients with psoriasis in countries from Central and Eastern Europe, and we report data for the Baltic countries. Materials and Methods: In a cross-sectional, international study (CRYSTAL), we retrospectively assessed the real-world disease severity and QoL in adult patients (18–75 years) from Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania with moderate-to-severe psoriasis receiving continuous systemic treatment ≥ 24 weeks. Analyses included 50 patients from each country and were descriptive. Results: The median disease duration was 15.2–19.9 years across the countries. Most patients (78.0% in Estonia, 100% in Latvia, and 68.0% in Lithuania) were receiving monotherapy with biological agents, mainly TNF inhibitors. An absolute PASI score ≤ 3 was achieved by 82.0%, 70.0%, and 64.0% of patients in the overall study population and 89.7%, 70.0%, and 61.8% of patients receiving biologic monotherapy in Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania, respectively. Across the countries, impairments in QoL as expressed by a Dermatology Life Quality Index score > 5 were reported by 14.0–34.0% of patients, while 88.0–96.0% of patients were satisfied with their treatment. Conclusions: Although most patients showed low absolute PASI scores and satisfaction with their evolution after ≥24 weeks of systemic treatment, they still reported an impact on QoL. This finding underlines that further optimization of systemic treatment strategies is needed to improve outcomes in moderate-to-severe psoriasis in Baltic countries. Full article

This study examined the relationships between financial literacy, financial product ownership, confidence in financial advisers, and confidence in retirement readiness across Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. By using data from the Flash Eurobarometer 525 survey (March 2022) and applying categorical data analysis methods, including chi-square tests and Cramér’s V, the findings revealed that a higher financial literacy and confidence in financial advisers are significantly associated with greater retirement preparedness. The ownership of financial products, particularly among active investors, is also strongly correlated with improved retirement outcomes. These results highlight the importance of financial education, accessible advisory services, and policies promoting financial literacy and product ownership to mitigate retirement risks and enhance financial security in the Baltic region. Full article

This study examines the integration and price behavior of European Union electricity markets using a Vector Error Correction Model (VECM). Employing daily wholesale day-ahead electricity prices from 24 EU countries spanning October 2017 to September 2024, the research identifies seven regional clusters of markets based on similarities in price trends. The analysis reveals strong long-term equilibrium relationships and dynamic short-term adjustments, highlighting the interconnectedness of these markets. Central players, such as Germany in Block 1 and France in Block 2, emerge as pivotal in driving regional stability, while markets like Romania and Bulgaria (Block 3) demonstrate significant interconnections. Scandinavian and Baltic regions (Blocks 4 and 5) showcase unique balancing mechanisms influenced by shared infrastructure. Aggregated inter-block dynamics underscore the critical role of central hubs like Blocks 1 and 3 in bridging market disparities. Despite progress, regional heterogeneity persists, with slower adjustments observed in certain clusters. The findings emphasize the need for targeted policies to enhance cross-border electricity trading and infrastructure investments, ensuring equitable integration across all regions. By addressing these disparities, the EU can bolster market efficiency and resilience, contributing to its overarching energy strategy and transition to sustainable energy systems. Full article

The improvement of energy efficiency (EE) and growing consumption of renewable energy sources (RES) in the commercial and public services sector are playing important roles in seeking to pursue sustainable development in the Baltic States and contributing to the transition to a low-carbon economy. This paper provides findings from a detailed analysis of energy intensity trends in economic sectors from 2005 to 2022 in three countries, considering the role of transformations in the energy and climate framework of the European Union (EU). Based on the Fisher Ideal Index application, the different contributions from improving EE and structural changes are revealed. The dominant role of EE improvements in energy savings is identified in Estonia and Lithuania, and structural changes are dominant in Latvia. Changes in energy-related greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the commercial and public services sector and the main determinants of their reduction are examined. Based on applying the Kaya identity and the logarithmic mean Divisia index (LMDI) method, decreasing energy intensity is the most important determinant in all three countries. Due to the different extents of RES deployment, their role was very important in Estonia and Latia but was less effective in Lithuania. Reduction in emission intensity has the largest impact in Latvia. The GHG emissions decreased by 34.1% in Estonia, 17.5% in Latvia, and 16.7% in Lithuania. The results confirm the need for new policies, implementation of relevant EE measures, and the growing contribution from RES in Latvia and Lithuania. Full article

Lithuania is a Baltic European country which shares borders with Poland, Belarus, Latvia, and Russia and has a geothermal anomaly in the southwestern region. It consists of two main geothermal complexed, i.e., Devonian and Cambrian with a temperature of up to 40 °C (at a depth of 1000 m) and 96 °C (at a depth of 2000 m), respectively. The Devonian complex is composed of an unconsolidated sandstone formation with porosity and permeability in the range of 4–31% and 200 mD–6000 mD, respectively, and these make it a favorable candidate for a low enthalpy geothermal complex because of the high water production rates. This study evaluates the geothermal potential in the Devonian complex of the selected sites for commercial development. The study utilizes the mechanistic modelling approach including uncertainty management to forecast the water production rates and estimate the power generation capacity. Lastly, the study reveals that it is feasible to produce 6 MW to 60 MW of power from the existing vertical wells for a period of 25 years. Furthermore, reactive transport modelling also proves that there is dissolution and precipitation of the minerals near and away from the wellbore, respectively, which impairs the reservoir quality and further concludes that there is an effect of time on re-injection which should be considered to enhance the reservoir quality for future operations. In addition to that, no effect of the re-injection temperature of the produced water is observed. Full article

Energy is often described as the lifeblood of a nation’s economy, and the world energy trilemma calls for collaboration and innovative solutions at the national level. This is where Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) plays a crucial role, helping integrate the achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) while addressing the challenges posed by the energy trilemma. Europe’s strong commitment to transitioning to sustainable energy is evident in its response to geopolitical changes and climate targets. Notably, the Baltic States have taken decisive action in response to the war in Ukraine, choosing to completely halt electricity imports from Russia and Belarus. This shift was supported by increased energy imports via interconnectors from Finland, Sweden, and Poland, with electricity imports rising to 13,053 GWh—an increase of 2.6% in 2023 compared to the previous year. Latvia, which holds the highest green energy potential in the Baltic Sea region, has nevertheless lagged behind its Baltic counterparts in terms of implementation. In 2021, Latvia ranked third among European Union (EU) countries for renewable energy share in final energy consumption, with 42.1%, significantly higher than the EU average of 21.8%. However, further progress is needed to meet Latvia’s 2030 target of 14% renewable energy use in transport. The Baltic States aim to produce 98–100% of their electricity from renewable sources by 2050. The Baltic States should be regarded as a unified energy system, with a coordinated strategy for achieving sustainable energy development through collaboration and joint planning. This analysis highlights the complexities of managing energy markets amidst global and regional challenges, emphasizing the importance of well-designed public interventions to secure long-term benefits. The study concludes with a call for enhanced interagency cooperation to reform ESD and create a new interdisciplinary sector dedicated to “Sustainable Development”. Full article

The present research assesses the agri-environmental sustainability of the Baltic states, namely Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia, while analyzing agricultural biodiversity, greenhouse gas emissions, land utilization, energy use, and water management. For the purpose of these evaluations and ranking, we employ the Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution (TOPSIS), applied to a set of agri-environmental indicators (AES) collected from various sources, including Eurostat and similar databases. This knowledge is necessary to help policymakers or agricultural managers who are interested in developing more sustainable agriculture in the region. That is why, according to the findings, the highest AES value is attributed to Latvia, followed by Lithuania and Estonia. Conservation methods that were essential included High-Nature-Value farmland, bird populations in agricultural habitats, organic farming, and water. It emphasizes the use of Multi-Criteria Decision Making tools for combining both qualitative and quantitative data and form the general framework for sustainability assessment. Another goal of this research is to fill the gap in the literature regarding the lack of attention paid to agri-environmental sustainability in the Baltic area in general. This, therefore, suggests that assessing the strengths or weaknesses of these nation-states provides critical information that can inform the change of land management practices, nutrition practices in agriculture, and the ability of the natural world to adapt. The findings will be useful to governmental leaders and individuals involved in agriculture who need to find a balance between economic growth and conservation, as well as scholars working to improve the international measures for agri-environmental assessment. Full article