SEI hosts Estonian environment minister, seeks to deepen Baltic engagement

SEI’s input is especially important in the near term as this year the country has taken on the Presidency of The Council of the Baltic Sea States and the Chairmanship of HELCOM (the Baltic Sea protection commission). Estonia will also take on the Presidency of the European Commission in 2018.

Tuesday’s discussions focused on how to further develop the fruitful collaboration between SEI and the ministry, and on how the Estonian Government can reinforce SEI’s position as a provider of knowledge services and policy advice for Estonian decision makers.

Tea Nõmmann, head of SEI’s Tallinn Centre, said: “SEI’s strength and global capacity, especially in analyzing long-term environment and development scenarios, are highly relevant to the Estonian Government, which will soon decide on its own long-term energy strategy. SEI can also offer important policy advice and insights into low carbon development and circular economies.”

Following the meeting the Estonian delegation headed for talks with Swedish counterparts on issues including resource efficiency and waste, Nordic-Baltic cooperation on climate and energy, potential Estonian membership of Climate and Clean Air Coalition, and environmental policy in the Baltic Sea/Helcom region. The EU 2030 climate and energy framework and the global climate negotiations were also on the agenda.