Stubb was presented with the award by the King of Sweden Carl XVI Gustaf at a ceremony held at the Baltic Sea festival held on Wednesday in Stockholm.
Finland has received the award for the second year running; last year it went to President Tarja Halonen.
“Finland has taken strong steps of political leadership in efforts to protect the Baltic Sea. This is exemplified by Finland’s decision to host a Baltic Sea summit gathering next February,” says Liisa Rohweder, Secretary General of the Finnish WWF.
Countries bordering the Baltic Sea still lack common plans for the use and upkeep of maritime areas, the WWF Environmental Barometer reveals.
WWF efforts in marine conservation in the Baltic Sea focus on slowing down entrophication, preventing oil spills and preserving endangered species and habitats. This is in addition to establishing marine conservation areas, and participating in the protection of tropical and arctic marine areas.
Germany scores top marks in the WWF’s Baltic Sea comparative table followed by Finland, Sweden, Denmark and Poland.