On 18 September, at the European Union (EU) Environment Council, the European Commission (EC) and the Danish Presidency will table for approval amendments to the European Climate Law (ECL) concerning the 2040 climate target. Latvia intends to voice its opposition — at present, the EC's proposal still does not fully take national interests into account.
Latvia does not support the EC's proposal to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990, because national interests are not currently taken sufficiently into account. Latvia appreciates the compromise text put forward by the Presidency, which incorporates several elements proposed by Latvia. However, support will only be possible if the agreements reached, which cover interests important to Latvia, are retained in full and other uncertainties are resolved.
Latvia particularly stresses the need to preserve the role of sustainable biomass in the renewable energy balance, the need to take the proportion of organic soils into account as a specific circumstance in meeting LULUCF (land use, land-use change and forestry) targets, and the need to reduce risks to food production and supply security.
"On Tuesday, 16 September, the government will consider Latvia's position on the EC's proposal. Latvia cannot agree to a 90% emissions reduction, because a great deal remains unclear. One of Latvia's priorities is preserving the green fuel status of wood chips and firewood — more than 60% of the fuel we use for heating is green biomass. In the Baltic region, wood chips and firewood play a decisive role in terms of energy security, independence and cost. We expect a realistic, calculation-based assessment from the EC of the prospects for achieving the current, ambitious 2030 emissions targets (55%). These targets are high and take no account of the differing situations of member states, nor of geopolitical challenges," says Minister for Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis.
In addition, it is important for Latvia to ensure that, given the difficult geopolitical situation, the ECL and its application take into account the country's capacity to reduce GHG emissions, as well as the impact on countries' competitiveness and economic development. It is essential to be confident that the reference to geopolitics will in practice mean greater flexibility for those countries whose ability to meet the targets is adversely affected by the need to strengthen their national defence and security, as well as their energy independence.
Work is currently under way to agree the national position with the relevant sectoral ministries, organisations and other cooperation partners.
Overall, EU climate policy is favourable for Latvia as a country rich in sustainable resources, since it makes it possible to reduce dependence on imported fossil resources.
At the same time, Latvia has so far received no clear proposal from the EC on how the GHG emissions reduction target will be distributed between EU member states and across sectors of the economy, or on the use of additional EU budget financial instruments in achieving this target.
Latvia advocates a purposeful but also flexible climate policy that corresponds to national interests, stressing the need for the EC to take into account the EU's progress towards meeting the 2030 targets, the impact on the national economy and other contributing factors, and to offer a flexible approach to achieving the targets.
As has been stressed on many occasions, all EU member states cannot be judged by the same measure; the economic situation and the development of sectors differ in each of them. Latvia, for example, is green by its very nature — Latvia has a large forest sector, which covers more than half of the country's territory, while the agricultural sector plays a significant role in food production and exports. Accordingly, the call is to ensure a flexible approach to meeting GHG emissions targets. There is likewise a need to reduce the administrative burden in GHG emissions accounting processes and to define more clearly how EU budget financial instruments will be used in reducing GHG emissions.
As previously reported, on 2 July this year the EC published a proposal to cut GHG emissions in the EU by 90% by 2040 compared with 1990. At its Cabinet of Ministers sitting on 8 July, the Latvian government decided not to support this proposal until it becomes clear how such a common target set for EU member states would affect Latvia specifically. On 10–11 July, meanwhile, an informal meeting of EU environment ministers was held in Denmark, where Minister for Climate and Energy Kaspars Melnis also discussed the matter with EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra. Several discussions with representatives of sectoral ministries have also taken place in preparing Latvia's position. Latvian experts are continuing talks with EC experts.