Belarus

Belarus rises two places in this year’s CCPI, to 46th, which means its performance rates low overall. It receives a very low in the Renewable Energy and Climate Policy categories and a medium in GHG Emissions and Energy Use.

Policies are not compliant with the Paris Agreement

Belarus presented its first (updated) Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) in 2021, with a GHG reduction target by 2030 of 35% compared with 1990 levels. Although this target is slightly more ambitious than then one presented in the Intended NDC (–28%) it is not fully compliant with the Paris Agreement targets and mostly based on a business-as-usual scenario.

The country has a range of documentation addressing GHG emissions reduction, including the National Plan for Green Economy Development (2021-2025), National Strategy for Sustainable Development until 2035, and other documents concerning energy, industrial, and environmental policies. However, none of these documents suggests ambitious goals and clear implementation plans.

An analysis of other national documents defining the policy for developing different sectors of the economy also showed their information and provisions aimed at decarbonisation did not always match with the officially declared national climate commitments.

Investments in Renewables are needed

Belarus continues to subsidise fossil fuels, thus not encouraging necessary investments in modernisation and energy efficiency, or in the development of renewable energy. The CCPI experts criticise the country’s lack of political will to tackle climate issues.

Belarus is heavily involved in the aggressive Russian war against Ukraine and thus is undermining the global struggle to combat the climate crisis.

Key Outcomes

CCPI experts

The following national experts agreed to be mentioned as contributors for this year’s CCPI:

• Dr. Maria Falaleeva (EVRESCO)