Events
### LMSP 7th International Conference “Sustainability of Land-Use Sectors – in the Context of European Environmental Policy Requirements and Geopolitical Reality” on 3 November at the LLU (from 1 September – Latvia University of Life Sciences and Technologies) Faculty of Forest.
### Honey Festival organised by colleagues at the Ogre Technical School in Vecbebri on 3 September
### European Tree of the Year competition extended until 4 September
### Tomato Festival in Brenguļi on 27 August
Current electricity issues
...in its session on 23 August of this year, the government decided that from 1 October this year until 30 April 2023, the electricity system service fee for legal entities will be fully compensated, i.e., all distribution and transmission tariff costs of all system operators (including value-added tax). The compensation will not apply to state and municipal institutions or those legal entities subject to the household tariff (for example, property managers).
In the Cabinet of Ministers meeting on 23 August of this year, it was decided that energy-intensive manufacturing companies will be compensated for this year's energy price increases in the form of a grant for the period from 1 February 2022 to 31 December 2022.
Forestry and related industry issues
Organised by the Latvian Builders Association and the Latvian Association of Civil Engineers in cooperation with 21 professional associations and industry institutions, the ‘Best Building in Latvia of the Year’ review is taking place for the 24th time this year. The jury evaluated more than 60 buildings, infrastructure objects, and landscape projects commissioned last year.
We are slowing down our own economy and entrepreneurship, people's purchasing power, vitality – everything. We have extremely exaggerated requirements regarding green thinking and the Green Deal. We need to deal with the war, then we can return to the Green Deal...
Due to the Russian invasion of Ukraine and subsequent sanctions, the global metalworking market has experienced significant fluctuations and raw material shortages in recent months. Responding to the crisis in the related sector, the wood processing company 'Kronus' in Stopiņi parish, Ropaži municipality, has decided to promptly change its metal product procurement model and establish its own metalworking plant. By the end of 2022, 2.2 million euros will be invested in creating this new direction, resulting in 25 new jobs.
This week, the Riga City Council decided to maintain its stake in SIA 'Rīgas meži' on the condition that the company ceases its operations in the production and trade of sawn timber.
The company has been tasked with finding the most cost-effective way to exit the sawn timber business by the end of the year. This is expected to eliminate both the distortion of competition and the long-term mismanagement repeatedly highlighted by the State Audit Office and the Competition Council, as well as ensure compliance with legislation regarding municipal involvement in business activities.
To ensure the conservation of protected habitats and species of importance to Latvia and the European Union, and to achieve the objectives of establishing and protecting the nature reserve, new individual protection and usage regulations have been adopted for the 'Vidzeme Rocky Seashore' nature reserve.
The Vidzeme Rocky Seashore, covering 1519 hectares, is located on the eastern coast of the Gulf of Riga in the Limbaži municipality. The territory is simultaneously part of the North Vidzeme Biosphere Reserve and is included in the European Union’s Natura 2000 network of protected areas as a type 'B' territory, which is significant for the protection of specially protected species (excluding birds) and specially protected habitats.
Two farms have used the opportunity to receive payment for calculated atmospheric carbon credits sequestered in the soil in Latvia – the 'Jaunkalējiņi' farm in Grundzāle parish and SIA 'Dižavoti' from Rugāji parish. This was achieved through these farms' participation in the eAgronom carbon programme, which involves transitioning to more environmentally friendly agricultural practices, improving soil condition and increasing the amount of carbon stored within it.
In a mood for change...
https://www.delfi.lv/news/versijas/andris-grafs-parsteidzosais-rezultats-latvijas-valsts-mezu-valdes-atlase.d?id=54650660
Interesting developments
When a community is faced with an ‘outsider’s’ assessment of its present and past, the most common reaction is rejection, because the ‘outsider’ knowingly or unknowingly ignores ‘local specifics’.
This situation is well known to Latvian society. Ever since the restoration of independence, various foreign experts have regularly recommended changing state policy on the so-called non-citizen issue, while a large part of the Latvian community perceived such advice as an ignorance of Latvian history. One can sense that comments from various people who have left Russia completely or temporarily regarding Western sanctions against Russia have now been added, which, at best, are received with slight irritation.
Opportunity to support greening plans in three Latvian cities
If, a couple of years ago, people looking for houses in good technical condition near the sea stopped at the furthest point of Lapmežciems and Ragaciems, now prospective buyers are considering property options in Engure, Mērsrags, and even Upesgrīva...
The open electronic auction for the Igate manor complex in Limbaži municipality has concluded, reports VAS 'Valsts nekustamie īpašumi'.
One bidder applied for the auction – a legal entity, which, by making a single bid of 915,000 euros, gained the rights to acquire the manor complex, which includes a 3290 m2 building and 89,260 m2 of land.
Well, there you go!