Belarus
Belarus ranks 56th in this year’s CCPI, falling nine ranks and a very low overall performer. The country receives a medium rating for GHG Emissions and Energy Use, and very low for Renewable Energy and Climate Policy.
The CCPI country experts note that Belarus has not yet expressed a commitment to climate neutrality and only has fragmented climate policies. Its current goal is to reduce GHG emissions by at least 35% by 2030 compared with 1990 levels, which is not ambitious enough. The experts also point out that the country’s climate policies overlook key sectors, such as in the absence of decarbonisation measures in the Agrarian Business state program for 2021-2025 that was created to increase the competitiveness of agricultural products and in the 2021–2025 Transport Complex state program which outlines how to ensure sustainable mobility and meet the needs of the economy in competitive and efficient transport services. Important policy documents, such as the National Strategy for Low Carbon Development and National Action Plan for Climate Change Adaptation, are still being prepared, which the experts criticise, given that roughly a decade has passed since the Paris Agreement was adopted.
Renewables are Greatly Lagging, While More Ambitious Targets are Needed
Belarus does not use coal, but relies heavily on gas and oil, importing 84.8% of its primary energy supplies, mainly from Russia. This makes Belarus one of the most energy-dependent countries.
Belarus also lags far behind in expanding renewable energy. In 2024, about 97% of the country’s renewable energy was from biomass, which is mainly wood fuel. Usable wood resources mainly consist of mature and stagnant forests, according to the Forest Cadastre. This reliance on wood biomass contradicts Paris Agreement Article 5, Clause 1, which calls for protecting and enhancing GHG sinks, including forests.
The experts call on the Belarus authorities to set more ambitious GHG emissions reduction targets and develop climate policies in a more cross-sectoral and participatory manner. They also recommend diversifying the energy system and focusing on renewable energy source development.
Key Outcomes
- Belarus ranks 56th in this year’s CCPI, falling nine ranks and a very low overall performer
- Belarus does not use coal, but relies heavily on gas and oil, importing 84.8% of its primary energy supplies, mainly from Russia
- The experts call on the Belarus authorities to set more ambitious GHG emissions reduction targets and develop climate policies in a more cross-sectoral and participatory manner. They also recommend diversifying the energy system and focusing on renewable energy source development
CCPI Experts
The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:
- Ivan Filiutsich
- Iryna Ponedelnik (Green Network)
