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This report documents the results of a policy dialogue held on 28 March 2019 in Bangkok, Thailand, focusing on the bioeconomy for sustainable development. The dialogue is part of a broader project supported by Vinnova to facilitate constructive discussions on bioeconomy development in national and regional contexts, specifically aiming to guide decision-makers toward cohesive governance of bioeconomy pathways with a focus on the Global South.

The report details a policy dialogue workshop in Tallinn, Estonia, aimed at designing pathways toward a sustainable bioeconomy in the Baltic Sea region. Participants identified energy as the primary driving sector and emphasized the need for high-value-added products, localized value chains, and a shift in consumer thinking. Five key enabling factors were identified: clear policy goals (including carbon taxes and national strategies), support for research and innovation through multi-helix interaction models, public procurement and education to drive demand, cross-sector cooperation to manage biomass competition, and the integration of circularity to preserve biodiversity. The document also reflects on the pilot methodology, noting that the pre-selected global sustainability scenario was too general and that future workshops should group participants by economic sector rather than organization type.

The analysis concludes that climate neutrality in Estonia by 2050 is potentially profitable in the long term, requiring an estimated investment of 17.3 billion euros between 2021 and 2050. The majority of these costs (approximately 13.1 billion euros) would be borne by the private sector. The report emphasizes that delaying strategic decisions will increase costs and complexity. Key priorities for 2021-2030 include accelerating energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry, transitioning electricity and heat production to renewables, and establishing national carbon sequestration goals for the LULUCF sector. While the initial investment phase (2021-2030) will see costs exceed revenues, the long-term weighted average marginal cost is negative, meaning revenues will eventually exceed costs. The report warns that new oil shale production plants would significantly increase the risk of failing to reach climate neutrality due to added emissions and high regulatory risks.

The report examines climate adaptation frameworks in the Baltic Sea Region (BSR), finding that while all nine studied countries have national strategies, only Denmark mandates local-level adaptation plans. Most BSR countries encourage but do not require municipalities to develop specific adaptation strategies, often relying on project-based funding or integrating climate risks into broader spatial and emergency planning. The analysis highlights a strong focus on flood risk management and identifies critical knowledge gaps regarding the comprehensiveness of local risk assessments and the sufficiency of stable funding and guidance for local authorities.

Reaching climate neutrality in Estonia by 2050 is technically possible and potentially profitable in the long term, requiring an estimated total investment of 17.3 billion EUR between 2021 and 2050. The strategy emphasizes accelerating energy efficiency in buildings, transport, and industry, alongside a transition to renewable energy and carbon sequestration in the LULUCF sector. While the first decade (2021-2030) will be investment-heavy, resulting in higher costs than revenues, subsequent decades are expected to see revenues outweigh costs. The transition will likely cause a modest negative impact on GDP (approximately 10%) and long-term employment in fossil-fuel sectors, particularly oil shale in Ida-Virumaa, but will create short-term construction and technology jobs.

The study identifies key strengths in the Estonian EIA/SEA system, such as the licensing of lead experts and the role of assessments in highlighting environmental considerations. However, it reveals significant challenges, including conflicting views on the expert's role, lengthy procedures due to bureaucratic coordination, and the reluctance of decision-makers to make unpopular decisions based on assessment results. The report also notes a need for more flexible Natura 2000 assessments and better integration of socio-economic impacts in strategic assessments.

The document examines the systemic failures of public-private partnerships (PPPs), citing the collapse of Carillion in the UK and concerns over the US 'Rebuilding Infrastructure' plan. It argues that PPPs often fail when used primarily to keep debt off public balance sheets, leading to poor project preparation and skewed risk allocation. To improve outcomes, the author suggests moving toward systemic master planning, enhancing public sector negotiation skills, and adopting procurement strategies that prioritize lifecycle value over the lowest bid. The paper emphasizes that for PPPs to support the UN Sustainable Development Goals, they must be designed with transparent, equitable contracts and a focus on sustainable development rather than just financial returns.

The statement highlights Sweden's leadership in climate science and finance, its goal to become one of the first fossil-free welfare nations by achieving net zero emissions by 2045, and the necessity of using public finance to mobilize private investment for the green economy. It emphasizes the role of the IPCC and the Paris Agreement in guiding global action, noting that renewable energy is becoming increasingly affordable compared to fossil fuels.

The report analyzes environmental pledges from seven parties and two alliances for the 2017 Estonian local elections. It finds a strong focus on urban mobility—specifically cycling and public transport—in Tallinn and Tartu, but a general lack of comprehensive strategies for climate change mitigation and adaptation. While some parties like the Social Democrats (SDE) and the Greens (Rohelised) provided more detailed environmental sections, the report notes a recurring conflict between promises to increase parking/road infrastructure and the goal of preserving urban green spaces. Nationally, platforms focused more on regional development and organic farming than on specific climate targets.

The document details a workshop organized by the Stockholm Environment Institute Tallinn Centre as part of the HERON project. It outlines proposed energy efficiency (EE) scenarios for Estonia's buildings and transport sectors, contrasting them with business-as-usual (BAU) paths. Expert panel discussions concluded that the proposed renovation rates for buildings are overly ambitious due to funding and skill shortages, while transport goals require better integration of modes and increased local government authority over cycling and public transport infrastructure.

The report analyzes food waste in Estonia, finding that households are the largest contributors, with an average of 130.4 kg of food waste per household annually. In the catering sector, restaurants exhibit the highest rate of food loss, with 87% of their total food waste being avoidable. The study identifies food spoilage as the primary driver of household waste and plate leftovers as the main cause in hospitals and restaurants. It concludes with specific recommendations for households, schools, and healthcare facilities to reduce waste through better planning and consumer awareness.

The report investigates food waste in Estonia's retail and food processing industries, finding that while overall waste levels are lower than in more developed European nations, significant 'food loss' occurs due to retail forecasting difficulties and consumer behavior. In retail, approximately 12,000 tonnes of food are written off annually, valued at 22 million euros, with fruits and vegetables making up the largest share by weight. In the food industry, waste is heavily concentrated in the meat sector, though much of the output is classified as by-products rather than waste. The report identifies transport costs, labor shortages, and legal ambiguities regarding taxes and hygiene as primary barriers to donating surplus food to the Food Bank (Toidupank).

The strategy assesses the vulnerability of Estonia's energy and infrastructure systems to climate change, identifying the electricity distribution network and small ports as particularly susceptible. It outlines a comprehensive set of adaptation measures across technical support systems, buildings, transport, and energy resources, with an estimated total implementation cost of approximately 1.3 billion EUR for the 2017–2030 period. The plan emphasizes increasing energy independence through domestic renewable sources and improving the resilience of buildings and transport networks to temperature extremes and flooding.

The report analyzes three scenarios for Estonia's transport sector: 'Non-intervening' (BAU), 'Low-intervention' (VS), and 'Knowledge-based' (EE). The BAU scenario predicts a nearly 60% increase in energy consumption by 2030 compared to 2012 levels. The EE scenario, which employs systemic policies including road user charges and land-use planning, aims to stop energy consumption growth, potentially achieving a 2% reduction by 2030. The analysis highlights that private and corporate spending on vehicle imports, maintenance, and fuel (approximately 1.5-1.7 billion EUR annually) far exceeds public infrastructure and passenger transport spending (approximately 400 million EUR annually). Environmentally, the EE scenario is the only one to project a decrease in CO2 equivalent emissions, forecasting a 36% reduction by 2030 compared to 2012.

The report assesses the volume and composition of municipal solid waste in Tallinn, evaluates current collection models, and compares the environmental impact of different waste treatment scenarios. It identifies significant contamination in bio-waste and packaging streams and argues that a centrally managed waste service model is most effective for achieving recycling goals, despite legislative restrictions in Estonia. Life cycle assessments indicate that mass incineration is more environmentally beneficial than landfilling or mechanical-biological treatment (MBT) due to energy recovery and the avoidance of fossil fuels.

The 2014 Sustainable Development Forum addressed the balance between economic growth in the maritime sector and the ecological preservation of the Baltic Sea. Key discussions centered on the 'blue growth' concept, the impact of eutrophication, and the potential for offshore wind energy in Estonia. The event highlighted the necessity of international cooperation, spatial planning, and the integration of scientific data to manage the sensitive marine environment sustainably.

The report analyzes Estonia's transport energy consumption from 2000–2012, noting a 33% increase driven primarily by road transport, which accounts for approximately 90% of the sector's energy use. It evaluates 24 measures across four categories: vehicle fuel efficiency, sustainable modes of transport, land-use planning, and fiscal measures. Key findings suggest that the highest energy-saving potential lies in shifting to more efficient conventional vehicles (A-B energy classes) and implementing smart fiscal tools like kilometer-based road charges and a Tallinn congestion charge. The report concludes that while electric vehicles have marginal impact in the short term, systemic changes in urban planning and public transport are essential for long-term demand management.

The document details SEI's efforts to support sustainable urbanization through the development of the Water Evaluation and Planning (WEAP) tool, greenhouse gas (GHG) emission tracking frameworks, and the promotion of ecological sanitation. It highlights specific projects in cities such as Bangalore, Seattle, and Leeds, while emphasizing the importance of stakeholder engagement and the co-benefits of urban green infrastructure.

The document outlines a four-step process for incorporating biodiversity into urban planning: identifying potential species, assessing data sufficiency, conducting inventories, and designing diverse habitats. It introduces the 'Green Space Factor' (PRF) and 'Green Points' (PRP) as tools to quantify and improve the ecological value of development sites. The guide provides detailed mitigation and enrichment strategies for specific animal groups—pollinators, amphibians, reptiles, bats, and birds—and describes sustainable urban infrastructure such as Sustainable urban Drainage Systems (SuDS), green roofs, vertical greenery, and flower meadows.

The report analyzes the evolution of environmental education in Estonia, from early 20th-century nature studies to modern sustainable development education. Based on a 2012 survey of 132 educators and specialists, it identifies a critical lack of a national development plan and systemic coordination, noting that while the Environmental Board and State Forest Management Centre (RMK) provide popular programs, access remains unequal across regions. The document argues for a state-led, coordinated approach involving both the Ministry of Education and Research and the Ministry of Environment to ensure sustainable, curriculum-aligned environmental education for all age groups.