Riga, 10 December 2020 - Today, Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, Alda Ozola, will take part in a high-level online discussion on “European Green Course and topical issues” to discuss the topics in the sector with Virginian Sinkēvičs, Commissioner of the European Commission for Environment, Oceans and Fisheries Janis Brizga, the head of the University of Latvia researcher, the association “Green Freedom”.
The discussion is organised by the European Commission's representation in Latvia to discuss Europe's common challenges towards the Green Course *, the circular economy, as well as the fight against climate change and concerns about the conservation of natural resources.
Deputy State Secretary for Environmental Protection Alda Ozola: “I am grateful to the European Commission, which is organising this discussion. The European growth strategy – The Green Course for all of us – Latvia and the European Union as a whole – needs us to achieve the climate neutrality objectives of achieving green and digital transformation, while at the same time providing support for sectors that will be affected by significant changes. s. This discussion is an opportunity for policy planners and representatives of non-governmental organisations to exchange views on how to make better use of the opportunities provided by the Green Course. "
For areas under the responsibility of the Ministry – climate change issues, environmental and nature protection – the EU and Latvia have ambitious long-term targets for climate neutrality, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction, biodiversity and the circular economy. At the same time, the European Green Course provides for funds to be channelled to those regions and sectors that depend on fossil energy or carbon-intensive processes and which will be affected by the transition to climate neutrality in the most efficient way. K. WE CAN play a role in planning these investments on a territorial basis, so cooperation between all the sectors and regions involved is important in this process.
The objectives of the European Green Course in Latvia will be supported by documents already approved by the government – Latvia's strategy to achieve climate neutrality by 2050, National Energy and Climate Plan for 2021-2030 and the Action Plan for the Circular Economy for 2020-2027, River Basin Management Plans for the period until the end of 2021, Measures Programme to achieve good environmental status, the Action Plan for the reduction of emissions of air pollutants 2020-2030, the forthcoming Waste Management State Plan for 2021-2028 and the future Environmental Policy Guidelines for 2021-2027, which will replace the existing plan and guidelines. . The changes brought about by reducing the use of fossil fuels, the effects of the circular economy, the principle of “green procurement” as well as by educating and informing the public will contribute to changing people's daily and consumption habits, creating new jobs, improving the well-being of citizens and the quality of life.
The discussion will take place from 15.00 to 16.00 and will be seen on the Facebook page of the EC Representation to Latvia as well as on the http://esmaja.lv portal.
* Green is a new EU growth strategy to create a fair and prosperous society with a modern, resource efficient and competitive economy with (GHG) net emissions reduced to zero in 2050.
* * climate neutrality is a situation where economic activity and consumption do not have a negative impact on climate. . Achieving climate neutrality is characterised by the balance of greenhouse gases (GHG), namely the reduction of all emissions and the offsetting of non-reduced emissions from plants (g. K. in forests) or underground capture and storage.
Information:
Public Relations Department
Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development
Tel. 20200305; 67026533,
email: prese@varam.gov.lv