Call to stop off-shore oil extraction

delta • August 20, 2002

2002-08-20

CALL TO STOP OFF-SHORE OIL EXTRACTION IN THE BALTIC SEA

Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) would like to express serious concerns about the planned D-6 off-shore oil extraction project by the Russian LUKOIL company. This project is located at the continental shelf of the Baltic Sea near Kaliningrad (in Russia) and the Lithuanian border.

Environmental NGOs in the Baltic region are warning that there is a high danger of environmental pollution, accidental oil spills and other negative impacts during the exploitation of the D-6 project. This project is located in the Baltic Sea, in front of the  Curonian Spit, an exceptionally sensitive ecosystem which was included to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 2000. Both the Curonian Spit and the Baltic sea are facing serious threats. Long term environmental monitoring shows that the Baltic Sea in this area is rich in bio-diversity. Both the Lithuanian and Russian parts of the Curonian Spit are important and valuable recreational places with large tourism potential. Millions of dollars have already been invested in the development of sustainable tourism, nature protection and environmental projects by local municipalities, national governments and international donors. But due to LUKOIL’s controversial plan for oil extraction, all these investments and achievements are seriously being endangered. The future of the whole region could be altered from an attractive sustainable tourism spot to a devastated area.

Coalition Clean Baltic stresses that oil extraction is a major threat to Baltic ecosystems. This was also stated by the Helsinki Commission, of which Russia is part. Toxic oil residues accumulate in plankton and can be found right up the food chain. Oil spills contaminate the surface water, smothering marine plants and animals. Many chemicals in oil spills are toxic, and can have serious cumulative effects as they build up in ecosystems. Spills can also have severe repercussions for tourism and fisheries, while the necessary clean-up operations may themselves unavoidably harm marine life and coastal habitats.

As fauna and flora of the Baltic Sea are extremely sensitive to changes in the environment, there should be no further major pollution sources appearing. Any further pollution and accidental oil spills might cause irreversible negative impacts on marine environment of the Baltic Sea and the coastal zone of the Kaliningrad region, Lithuania and other Baltic states.

As relates to the project developed by the LUKOIL-Kaliningradmorneft,

Based on the recently released Environmental Impact Assessment report, Russian and Lithuanian NGO’s have stated that LUKOIL has underestimated the possibility of transboundary consequences of this project. These consequences could appear both as environment impact from regular operations as well as in case of accidental oil spills. In the information materials presented to the public, no adequate measures to show how these issues will be addressed are presented.

Also we want to stress the fact that LUKOIL and the Russian government so far do not follow international agreements on Environmental Impact Assessments, as far as it relates to projects that have transboundary environmental impacts. Specifically we would like to point out that the public of neighbouring countries is not properly informed about the plans for oil extraction. In that, project proponents do not act according to the Espoo Convention and the Helsinki Convention.


No off-shore oil extraction in the Baltic Sea

CCB recognises the efforts of LUKOIL to implement international environmental management standards and to improve its environmental performance. However, this project is not according to the provisions on environment protection taken by LUKOIL so far. The relevance of this project goes also beyond its potential negative environmental impacts. It will open the door for further oil exploitation in the Baltic Sea, which is over-polluted already. We consider that as a very negative development.

Therefore, CCB urges LUKOIL to revise its plans for offshore oil extraction in the Baltic Sea. We are calling upon LUKOIL and the Russian government not to go ahead with this extremely controversial project.


For more information contact:
Mr Janis Brizga, CCB Latvia, phone +371 9 118 112
Mr Gunnar Norén, Coalition Clean Baltic, phone +46 70 560 53 52

Petition launched to stop new oil and gas drilling in the Baltic Sea

By CCB • October 3, 2025
3 October 2025 - Coalition Clean Baltic, together with its Member Organization BUND - Friends of the Earth Germany and the citizens’ initiative “ Lebensraum Vorpommern ”, have launched a petition to stop new oil and gas drilling projects in the Baltic Sea . The petition comes in response to plans to exploit a deposit just 6 km offshore Świnoujście , Poland, in the transboundary waters of the Oder Estuary and Pomeranian Bay. The planned site lies at the heart of NATURA 2000 protected areas , which are vital for biodiversity, climate action, and local communities. Oil and gas extraction in the Baltic Sea poses severe threats to its fragile ecosystems. Industrial activities such as drilling, pipeline construction, and ship traffic risk polluting the water with chemicals, oil leaks, and toxic waste. Underwater noise from pile driving and increased traffic would further degrade marine habitats. These pressures add to the already critical challenges faced by the Baltic Sea, including biodiversity loss, eutrophication, and the accelerating impacts of climate change. The consequences extend far beyond nature. Local communities rely on a clean and healthy Baltic for tourism, fishing, and quality of life. Expanding fossil fuel infrastructure would also undermine Europe’s climate commitments and lock in carbon emissions for decades to come. The petition calls on the Ministry of Climate and Environment of Poland, the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM), the European Commission, and the Secretariat of the Espoo Convention to : Stop the plans for oil and gas extraction in the Oder Estuary and the Pomeranian Bay; Ban any new oil and gas extraction across the Baltic Sea; Ensure strong cross-border cooperation and communication amongst all involved states. The petition is open through the WeMove Europe´s platform and can be signed here .

(Closed) Job vacancy: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy

By CCB • October 1, 2025
Job Title: Coalition Campaign Manager - Common Fisheries Policy Position type : Full-time consultancy contract. Open to part-time arrangements initially if needed. Contract duration: Short-term contract until end of March 2026, with possibility of extension subject to funding availability Reports to: Steering Committee Location : Flexible(remote/home office) with regular travel. Working in Brussels is of advantage. Starting date : ASAP In close cooperation with the Steering Group of the coalition, lead, plan, coordinate, and support the campaign of an NGO network working together towards the implementation of the EU Common Fisheries Policy (CFP) and the evaluation thereof. The campaign manager's responsibility is to develop and ensure the successful and timely delivery of political advocacy and public engagement activities of the campaign, both at EU and Member State level. Job description Strategy & Planning Develop and implement short-, and long-term campaign strategies aligned with coalition objectives, in close cooperation with the Steering Group. Set clear goals, timelines, and performance indicators for the campaign and ensure timely delivery thereof. Analyse policy development, political climate, media and public opinion, and stakeholder landscapes to inform tactics. Campaign Delivery Manage day-to-day execution of the campaign activities at Brussels and Member State level. Coordinate coalition partners and ensure communication between Steering Group and coalition members, as well as relevant groups/coalitions/experts and other stakeholders outside the coalition. Advise coalition members on strategic delivery of advocacy activities at all levels, including Member State level. Join Steering Group meetings in an advisory capacity. Report back to the Steering Group on the delivery of the campaign's activities, meeting of targets and milestones, and report back on activities, budget and impact. Advocacy & Stakeholder Engagement Build and maintain relationships with policymakers, key stakeholders, and allies to support campaign aims. Analyse opportunities of engagement, advise on policy language. Organise/coordinate/prepare and support relevant activities, including events, briefings, and advocacy activities in close cooperation with coalition members. Ensure relevant knowledge management and information flow within the coalition and across partner organisations. Liaise with communication experts on message framing, strategy and timelines. Management Support CCB administrative and finance staff managing grants to coalition partners. Ensure coalition partners receive information and materials that enable them to effectively contribute to achieving campaign goals (political information, policy briefings, templates, policy language, opportunity analyses). Support fundraising efforts as needed/requested by the Steering Group. Lead on funders narrative reporting. Qualifications & Skills required The consultant must be legally authorised to provide services and work as a consultant within the EU, based in an EU Member State. Fisheries and ocean expertise (preferred), or other environmental background. Degree (or equivalent experience) in communications/campaign management, political science, resource management, fisheries, or related field. Proven track record in designing and delivering successful advocacy or public campaigns at EU or Member State levels involving a larger coalition. Strong understanding of political processes at EU level and Member State levels, media landscapes, and public engagement. Excellent project management and organisational skills. Skilled communicator and coordinator, able to craft persuasive messages and engage a larger network into a common goal within tight deadlines. Ability to work under pressure, meet deadlines, and adapt to rapidly changing circumstances. Fluency in English is required; additional EU languages are a plus. Application Should you be interested in applying for this assignment, please send your CV (max. 2 pages) together with a personal letter (max. 1 page) before 9 October 2025 , COB, to secretariat@ccb.se Please include your consultancy rate in your application inclusive VAT (if applicable). Applications should be submitted in English. Incomplete applications (e.g. lacking either CV or personal letter) will not be considered . Any inquiries related to this assignment should be forwarded to the above email or to CCB Executive Secretary Mikhail Durkin at mikhail.durkin@ccb.se and +46 739 770 793. In the application and hiring process, CCB will not discriminate against any individual based on race, colour, sex, language, religion, national or social origin, property, disability, age, family status, sexual orientation and gender identity, economic and social situation. .