Latvia

Latvia drops three places to 36th in the current CCPI. The country receives mixed ratings in the four main CCPI categories: high in Renewable Energy, medium in Energy Use, low in Climate Policy, and very low in GHG Emissions.

Latvia published its National Energy and Climate Plan (NECP) in July 2024. This brought an especially positive change for the energy sector, as a more ambitious renewable energy target is now defined: 100% renewable energy in power generation nationally by 2030. Latvia also set 2050 as its long-term climate neutrality goal. Though the CCPI country experts note that this target does not include a clear pathway or action plan for achieving that goal. The experts also criticise Latvia’s approach for the role of land use, land-use change, and forestry (LULUCF) in reducing GHG emissions. This sector is increasingly a source of emissions rather than a natural sink. The NECP contains no clear pathway for reversing the LULUCF emissions trend.

Support for expanding EU energy independence, but with what aim?

Internationally, Latvia is mostly passive and relies on the EU common position, but it has been active in raising the issue of heat decarbonisation at the EU level. Latvia also shows strong support for increasing the EU’s energy independence. However, the experts assess that the country is more interested in the security aspect of this rather than the climate mitigation aspect. Overall, Latvia does not want to be perceived as an obstacle in EU climate negotiations but, at the same time, is unwilling to place excessive strain on its economic growth.

The general discourse in Latvia appears to increasingly recognise the economic advantage in expanding renewables, green tech, energy efficiency, and overall decarbonisation. Latvia now demands that adequate funding from the EU must match these investments in renewables and energy efficiency.

The experts’ main demand is for Latvia to start implementing a strategy for decarbonising the LULUCF sector. They also call for an end to national representatives’ underrepresentation of climate issues at the international level.

Key Outcomes

CCPI Experts

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

• Maksis Apinis (Green Liberty)
• Pasaules dabas fonds (WWF Latvia)