RIGA – In Latvia’s national energy and climate plan 2021-2030, proposed by the Economics Ministry, the emphasis is on developing a climate neutral economy, according to the draft document.

The national energy and climate plan, 2021-2030, is a document for a long-time planning of Latvia’s energy and climate policies, setting forth the basic principles, goals and directions of national energy and climate policies for the coming decade. Each European Union (EU) member state is expected to have such a plan.

The Economics Ministry indicates that the long-time objective formulated in the plan is to promote the development of a sustainable, competitive and climate neutral economy. To attain this long-term goal, the plan proposes ensuring an effective use of resources, as well as their self-sufficiency and diversity.

The plan also calls for cutting consumption of resources, especially fossil and unsustainable ones, switching instead to sustainable, renewable and innovative resources. The plan also envisages stimulating research and innovation facilitating the energy sector’s development and curbing climate change.

The measures proposed in the plan for reaching these goals include improving buildings’ energy efficiency, promoting the use of energy saving and renewable energy technologies in the supply of heating and air conditioning, as well as in industrial production.

The plan also calls for greater energy efficiency and use of green energy in transport and ensuring energy security and independence, a full integration of energy markets and modernization of infrastructure.

Other measures include improving the efficiency of waste and wastewater management, an effective us of resources and cutting emissions in agriculture.

A debate on the plan’s final version is scheduled to take place on August 1.