Coalition Clean Baltic urges Danish authorities to stop the construction of Lynetteholm island

Coalition Clean Baltic • September 26, 2023

Coalition Clean Baltic calls to stop the Lynetteholm project that may result in environmental disaster in the Baltic Sea.

September 2023 - In 2021 the majority of the Danish Parliament adopted a Construction Act which allowed the constructor By & Havn and the Ministry of Transport to start the Lynetteholm project: an artificial peninsula in the Copenhagen harbour as a new district area in the city, that will house 35,000 residents and 35,000 workplaces. This project was approved despite Swedish criticism and without consultation of all the Baltic Sea countries.


In the same year, an Executive Order was introduced, nullifying the environmental laws in place and preventing complains. The only way for citizens, municipalities and associations to be heard is to raise a case in the national courts.


Environmental issues

The construction of this artificial island may block the flow of salt, oxygen-rich water into the Baltic Sea. The result of the Lynetteholm project can have significant, irreversible, negative environmental consequences for the Baltic Sea. Even minimal changes in the water flow into the Baltic Sea may affect the entire marine environment of all the countries around the Baltic Sea.

Regardless of the consultation responses, the ongoing Espoo negotiations with Sweden and the Climate Movement´s lawsuit, the construction of Lynetteholm continues.


Citizens and NGOs actions to stop the project

In 2021, Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) called to postpone the the adoption of the Lynetteholm project through a letter sent to the Danish authorities, which was also shared with the European Commissioner for the Environment, Oceans and Fisheries , as well as with Directors General of respective DG of the European Commission and the Chair of the Baltic Sea Parliamentary Conference.


In 2022 Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) signed another letter, together with other 16 NGOs, to complain to the EU about Lynetteholm blocking water flow.


In 2023 updated information were published about the Lynetteholm project. This document  contains the most updated information including those deliberations that have happened namely that:


  • updates about the Danish Climate Movement´s lawsuit;
  • the report of the 'professional reference group’ set by Transport Agency with four independent professors (Prof. Katarina Elofsson, Department of Environmental Science, Aarhus University; Prof. Lone Kørnøv, Department of Planning, Aalborg University; Prof. Stiig Markager, Department of Ecoscience, Aarhus University; Prof. Thorbjørn Joest Andersen, Department of Geosciences and Nature Management, University of Copenhagen) released on 5 March 2023 which states that “blocking effects are cross border and can potentially affect the entire Baltic Sea. One consideration might be to change the design of the project, so that the outermost part does not include Kongedybet”. Individual opinion of Prof. Stiig Markager is i.a. that “the calculations carried out by DHI are not sufficient to reject a significant effect on the salinity in the Baltic Sea. This effect can occur throughout the Baltic Sea and will thus affect all countries around the Baltic Sea. Furthermore, any effect on the stability of the Baltic Sea's water column will produce derivative effects that can accumulate over time and potentially affect salinity beyond the immediate effect on salt transport”. According to Prof. Markager, the implementation of the project in its current state will have significant negative impact on environmental status of the Baltic Sea, hence also constituting a violation of the EU MSFD;
  • the supplemented EIA report for the project changes in the Lynetteholm project was released for public consultation until 8 May 2023;
  • the completion of the Espoo Convention transboundary consultation process is unknown.


In addition, in March 2023 CCB shared its concern to the Helsinki Commission (HELCOM) regarding the Lynetteholm project and submitted documents to the Informal consultation session of the Helsinki Commission (IC HELCOM 1-2023). In June 2023 CCB submitted new documents to the Informal consultation session of the Helsinki Commission (IC HOD 3-2023).


The consultation on the Lynetteholm project by all Baltic Sea countries is a legal duty incumbent on Danish authorities. Until all affected countries and organisations are consulted we call to immediately stop the Lynetteholm project. 

Job vacancy: Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover)

By CCB • February 24, 2026
Coalition Clean Baltic – CCB is a politically independent network, uniting 28 environmental non-profit organizations, as well as partners and experts from 11 countries surrounding the Baltic Sea. The main goal of CCB is to promote the protection and improvement of the environment and natural resources of the Baltic Sea region by encouraging new and constructive approaches and engaging people to become part of the solution instead of part of the problem. CCB Secretariat is based in Uppsala, Sweden. About the Role Coalition Clean Baltic (CCB) is seeking a Marine Policy Officer (parental leave cover) to join its International Secretariat and contribute substantively to regional and EU-level marine advocacy, with a particular focus on the Baltic Sea. The Marine Policy Officer will support the implementation of EU and international marine environmental policy frameworks — notably the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), the EU Maritime Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD) and the HELCOM Baltic Sea Action Plan (BSAP) . All work is grounded in the promotion of ecosystem-based management. The role includes close collaboration with the rest of the Secretariat team as well as CCB member organisations to deliver policy initiatives, advocacy actions, and strategic programme objectives. The Marine Policy Officer will also support the International Secretariat in fundraising, with a focus on the EU LIFE operational grant application. Key Responsibilities Policy & Advocacy Support the implementation of CCB’s strategic plan on marine biodiversity policy. Contribute to marine policy advocacy at EU and at Baltic Sea regional levels (e.g. HELCOM, EU Commission expert groups). Provide input to the implementation and revision of the Marine Strategy Framework Directive. Collect evidence and views to provide NGO inputs to the forthcoming EU Ocean Act and related initiatives. Support the implementation of the Helsinki Convention and Baltic Sea Action Plan. Engage in the revision processes related to the Marine Spatial Planning Directive (MSPD). Programme & Grant Delivery Provide critical support in fundraising, i.e. project proposal development, especially for securing core grant funding (e.g. for the EU LIFE Programme and potentially Horizon programme). Contribute to CCB´s project management, implementation and reporting activities for various projects. Coordination & Monitoring Closely coordinate marine biodiversity policy work with CCB member organisations. Monitor global, EU, and regional marine policy developments. Liaise with partner NGOs and civil society organisations. Communications & Policy Products Draft position papers, policy briefings, consultation inputs and technical reports on relevant files. Support communications and outreach on marine policy issues. Help organise workshops, conferences, and stakeholder events. Represent CCB in policy dialogues, expert groups, and stakeholder forums at the EU and Baltic Sea level. Cross-organisational Support within the Secretariat and its members Contribute to other CCB thematic working areas as required. Profile We are seeking a policy professional who is: Solutions-oriented and adaptable Experienced in advocacy or campaigning Collaborative and team-driven Passionate about marine conservation Organised, diplomatic, and stakeholder-confident Required Qualifications & Experience Demonstrable professional experience in marine or environmental policy. Working knowledge of key EU frameworks, particularly the EU Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD). Knowledge of Helcom BSAP is an asset. Postgraduate qualification in marine science, ecology, conservation, water management, or related discipline with substantial marine focus. Eligibility to work and travel within the EU (citizenship or valid permit) with residency in Sweden. Excellent written and spoken English. CCB also welcomes applicants from broader environmental policy/law backgrounds who can demonstrate relevant knowledge. Desirable Skills Experience within the NGO or civil society sector preferred. Advocacy or campaigning experience within the EU, the Baltic Sea or international environmental policy processes. Working knowledge of a Baltic Sea region language (e.g. Swedish, Danish, Finnish, German, Polish, Latvian, Lithuanian, Estonian).

CCB´s submission to the EU Call for Evidence on the Ocean Act

By CCB • February 19, 2026
Uppsala, February 2025 - CCB supports the Ocean Pact and Ocean Act objectives for improving coherence, coordination and effectiveness of EU ocean governance. Yet, in order to achieve this, the Act has to deliver truly ecosystem-based management of our seas and make reaching Good Environmental Status, as defined in the Marine Strategy Framework Directive (MSFD), a cornerstone of the Act. The Ocean Act can set us on a path to recovery of the marine environment under a sustainable and just blue economy, but only if the Act includes the points outlined below and is implemented swiftly and fully.