Lithuania's National Climate Change Management Agenda Sets Ambitious Emissions Reduction Targets

Strategic Insights -

Lithuania is committed to achieving climate neutrality by 2050, with a trajectory outlined in its national climate change management agenda. The country accounts for a mere 0.4% of the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions, having reduced its net emissions by 31.5% since 2005, surpassing the EU average reduction of 30.5% over the same period. Notably, emissions from sectors under the EU's emissions trading system were more than halved, while Lithuania overachieved its target for the 2013-2020 period and expects to reach its 2030 target. The country's land use, land-use change, and forestry sector is a significant carbon sink, absorbing one-third of Lithuania's GHG emissions.

Key Takeaways:

  • Lithuania aims to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, with a trajectory outlined in its national climate change management agenda.
  • The country accounted for 0.4% of the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions in 2023 and had reduced its net emissions by 31.5% since 2005.
  • Emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system were more than halved (-57.5%) over the same period.
  • Lithuania overachieved its target for the 2013-2020 period and expects to reach its 2030 target.
  • The country's land use, land-use change, and forestry sector is a significant carbon sink, absorbing one-third of Lithuania's GHG emissions.
  • A 2023 survey revealed that one-third of Lithuanians identified climate change as one of the four most serious problems facing the world.
  • Most Lithuanians (57%) expect national government and/or business and industry to tackle climate change, while 50% see it as a task of the EU and 37% find it a personal responsibility.
  • Lithuania submitted a draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) in July 2023, which was assessed and made recommendations for by the European Commission.

Statistics:

  • Lithuania accounts for 0.4% of the EU's net greenhouse gas emissions in 2023.
  • The country has reduced its net emissions by 31.5% since 2005.
  • Emissions from sectors under the EU emissions trading system were more than halved (-57.5%) over the same period.
  • Lithuania overachieved its target for the 2013-2020 period.
  • The country's land use, land-use change, and forestry sector absorbs one-third of Lithuania's GHG emissions.
  • 0.3 of Lithuanians identified climate change as one of the four most serious problems facing the world (2023 survey).
  • 57% of Lithuanians expect national government and/or business and industry to tackle climate change.
  • 50% of Lithuanians see climate change as a task of the EU.
  • 37% of Lithuanians find climate change a personal responsibility.

Sources:

  • European Parliament
  • Lithuania's national climate change management agenda
  • 2023 survey on climate change awareness in Lithuania
  • European Commission's assessment of Lithuania's national energy and climate plan (NECP)
  • Lithuanian government's modified recovery and resilience plan (June 2023)
  • Lithuanian government's draft updated national energy and climate plan (NECP) submitted in July 2023.