Riga’s strategy for achieving climate neutrality through the use of renewable energy

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In recent years, countries around Europe started adopting their own strategies to achieve climate neutrality. The European Green Deal has set out the framework and goals for the members of the European Union to tackle this issue. The goals propose the establishment of climate neutrality by 2050 with the use of circular economy, reduction of greenhouse gas emission and increased usage of renewable energy.

The research conducted by Eurostat showed that Latvia ranks third in the European Union in terms of the share of renewable energy. The gross energy consumption of 40,3% ranks it just below Sweden and Finland. In addition, 50% of electricity in Latvia is produced from green sources, solar power, wind turbines and other. In this category, Latvia is ranked 4th in the European Union.

According to these sets of rules, the country of Latvia announced its own plans and strategies to achieve the proposed goals. The main one is the Strategy for Achieving Climate Neutrality 2050, which sets the basis for all projects in this sphere. The aim of this strategy is adaptation of programs and plans which will enhance both national economy and competitiveness, with substantial inclusion of climate change mitigation. This will be done through two basic goals: technological solutions and lifestyle changes.

The following program presented by Latvian government was Latvia’s National Energy and Climate Plan 2021-2030. This plan further established goals and strategies aimed at climate neutrality through promotion of sustainable development, competitive economy and climate neutral economic actions. This plan also proposes rational use of resources, with special focus on reduction of fossil fuels usage and transition towards sustainable, innovative and renewable sources.

In the center of these strategies is the capital of Latvia, Riga, where is living nearly one third of the population. Riga made its first steps towards higher usage of renewable energy and climate neutrality in 2007, establishing the Riga Energy Agency.

This organization, also known as REA, was introduced by Riga City Council. It is the first local energy agency in the country and a non-profit organization. REA’s main function is establishing long-term partnerships with other associations, countries and NGOs on behalf of the city of Riga. Over the years, the agency established connections with WHO Healthy Cities Network, Union of the Baltic, European Association for Hydrogen and fuel cells and Electro-mobility in European Regions.

Besides establishing partnerships, REA is responsible for consulting and advising local administration. This is done primarily in the sphere of sustainability issues. It also took part in European policy development, which promotes sustainable development and mitigation of climate change.

With a strong basis set, Riga announced a strategy called ATELIER. This strategy consists of three smaller ones, with the aim of further promotion for use of renewable sources of energy.

The first part of this project, called “Bold City Vision 2050“, presents a long-term plan for the city which focuses on transformation and decarbonization of the city. This will be done through the Riga city energy system. 

The research conducted over the years, primarily regarding effects of previous strategies resulted in ” Riga Smart City Sustainable Energy Action Plan for 2014-2020″, also called SEAP-2020. It focused on long-term energy transition goals. This strategy was further continued with the renewed “Riga Sustainable Energy and Climate Action Plan until 2030“, also called SECAP-2030.

The third and the final strategy implemented in Riga, as part of ATELIER, is Positive Energy Districts, known as PED. This concept promotes enhanced introduction of renewable energy sources to neighborhoods in Riga, with the aim of higher citizen participation. First such neighborhood is Skanste which was started by Aija Zučika, ATELIER project expert and Nika Kotoviča, ATELIER project coordinator. (photo credit: macrovector/Freepik)