2010 analysis: main findings
The 2010 Climate Policy Tracker found that although there is an existing national energy strategy in place until 2025, renewable energy and energy efficiency are only one out of many priorities. Excluding the forestry sector, which follows the principles of sustainable forestry and which plans to increase the overall forest area of the state by 3% by the year 2020, no sector has a stringent low-carbon policy mix. Despite the difficult economic situation, the country has put some effort into increasing energy efficiency in the building sector and the share of renewable energies in the country’s energy mix. The success stories of Lithuania are:
- There is a consistent set of sustainable policies in forestry. Several measures like planting of forests and limitations on felling are integrated in the implementation strategy of the Lithuanian forestry sector. In the energy sector, the ambitious goal is to increase the share of CHP plants to 35% of total electricity generation by 2025. Due to the shutdown of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant at the end of 2009, which was the cheapest source of electricity, combined heat and power (CHP) plants are now more economically attractive, even without additional support. Furthermore, public procurement requires that suppliers implement environmental management systems. This is a good way to promote energy efficiency in industry.