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Economic Aspects | Natural Resource Aspects | Institutional Aspects | Social Aspects |Lithuania
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
The Ministry of Agriculture is primarily responsible for agriculture and rural development in Lithuania. The Environmental Protection Ministry is responsible for environmental protection of agriculture.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
National legislation in this area includes the Land Law, the Law on the Land Reform, and the Law on the State Regulation of Agricultural Economic Relations.
The environmental protection of agriculture is based on legislation as well as on voluntary measures taken by farmers and advisory services. Loading of surface and ground water is regulated by legislation on the use of protective zones of water bodies. In 1999, Lithuanian and Danish experts on environment protection prepared the Code of Good Agriculture Practice. It has to be approved and to enter into force by the end of 1999.
The Ministry of Agriculture has adopted Recommendations of Prevention Means for Reduction of Prevention Means for Reductions of Spread Pollutants from Agricultural Sources. The recommendations include means to prevention pollution and ways to reduce agriculturally-induced pollutants, especially concentrations of phosphate and nitrogen in water. The Recommendations are supported by the results of foreign and Lithuanian investigations as well as based on industrial experience. These Recommendations constitute a first step towards the preparation of the Code of Good Agricultural Practice according to Nitrate Directive. It is planned that Nitrate Directive will be implemented before the year 2006. This Code is being prepared with the help of Swedish and Danish projects.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The national policy on sustainable agriculture is consolidated in: the National Agriculture Development Programme; the Strategy of Environmental Protection; the Strategy of Biological Diversity; and the Programme of the Rural Development.
The main objects of the agricultural policy are:
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
The Chamber of Agriculture started its activity from 1991; this is a voluntary union which comprises farmers, producers suppliers of the intellectual services and representatives of the interests of the agricultural organizations. Chamber of Agriculture (ChoA) applies its activity to whole Republic of Lithuania and helps to implement self-government for farmers.
ChoA is stimulating the self - government, initiative and overall development of the activity of agricultural organizations and rural communities. It represents them in state, governmental institutions and authorities and co-operates with foreign institutions. ChoA prepares or participates in preparing and debating programmes on subject of agriculture and rural development; projects of law and other legal normative which are related with the supporting of the interests of members of ChoA.
Programmes and Projects
The Working Group on Agro-environment established within the Ministry of Agriculture is undertaking the preparation of Agro-environmental Pragramme with the help of Dutch Avalon Project according to the Council Regulation 2078/92. There are two main schemes in the Programme - general agro-environmental scheme and supplementary agro-environmental schemes. Lithuanian application to SAPARD for co-financing of a pilot programme will be presented in 2000.
The Ministry of Agriculture launched an Ecological Farming Support Programme financed by the Rural Support Fund in 1998, No332. Its aim is to develop organic farming, to establish a favorable infrastructure, to create conditions for production of organic products which have demand in local and foreign markets. According to the Law on the State Regulation of Economic Relations in Agriculture, organic farms are controlled and inspected by the public institution called "Ekoagras", which was established by the Ministries of Agriculture and Health in 1997 for the certification of the ecological production of agriculture.
Programme "Tatulos programa" for modeling of ecological farm was prepared and launched in the North of Lithuania in 1993. Now its activities are extended to all regions of Lithuania. In order to provide the financial support for farms and reorganize enterprises to ecological ones, Tatulos Fund was established. It organizes fairs and exhibitions, designs and builds equipment for water cleaning and implements other means related to the environmental protection; it also consults and makes environmental monitoring, publishing and other educational activity.
An agricultural cooperation development programme was approved in 1999. Its main objectives include: to create favorable infrastructure for farmers and other participants of agriculture; to enhance their economic conditions and to co-ordinate interests of farmers with the interests of processors through the promotion of co-operation between them.
Status
The country consist of 10 counties with two main cities, Vilnius and Kaunas. Lithuania has a well developed network of highways and secondary roads, but some of the basic services, such as water supply, and telecommunications, still remain under-developed in rural areas.
Agriculture has gone through several periods of historic development as land reforms have changed the structure by a proportionate increase or decrease of specific land use groups. The agricultural reform and privatization created many serious problems in rural areas, because during the Soviet period, the main social, medical and cultural services were provided in special, purpose-built facilities on state and collective farms. With the farms restructuring, these functions were transferred to local government, and many services ceased to be available in rural areas. The gap in income between rural and urban areas seems to be deep and there is a need to diversify the rural economy also for countering the increasing unemployment in rural areas.
Large areas have suffered from past agricultural pollution originated from poor handling of animal waste. Excessive use and misuse of chemicals in the past have also given rise to environmental problems. Other environmental concerns are related to soil erosion, which cover almost 20% of agricultural land in Lithuania.
Challenges
No information available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
According to the needs of agriculture, educational programmes and plans are constantly renewed. High schools infrastructure are also being modernized. At main educational centers, re-qualification courses and continuous training are provided. Some new rural business training centers are established where farmers and rural businessmen are taught about new technologies, product quality improvement, environment protection, management and marketing.
Information
In 1998, the Rural Business Development and Information System Center was established. The Center is developing an information system on live-stock marking, crop area declaration. It is also preparing programmes for rural development and providing consultations.
Research and Technologies
No information available
Financing
In 1997 the Government adopted a resolution "Concerning the Formation of the Rural Support Fund which regulates the form and use of the Rural Support Fund. The Fund is used mainly for the following purposes:
The new programme for the reorganization of agricultural activities to earn alternative income was created in Rural Support Fund in 1999. This programme finance farmers and entities related to: a) traditional and non-traditional plant growing and cattle-breeding production; b) crafts, trades, services; and c) development of rural tourism.
Economic conditions have been created for establishing the credit institutions in rural areas in order to move banking services closer to the people concerned. It is foreseen to develop and support credit unions, gradually transform the regulations of the Rural Support Fund and administrative procedures, taking into account of the rules of EURO agricultural support.
Cooperation
The Danish project proposal "Reforestation of Abandoned Agricultural Land based on Sustainable Planning and Environmentally Sound Forest Management" is planned for 2 years. The project is designed to facilitate and to accelerate the actual reforestation of abandoned land, where reforestation is considered the optimal form of land use based on sustainable criteria.
* * *
This information is based on Lithuania's reports to the 5th and 8th Sessions of the United Nations Commission for Sustainable Development, April 1997 and 2000. Last update 27 October 1999.
For national information on soil, click
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Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
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Sub-regional Information on Plant Genetic Resources of the Food and Agricultural
Organization of the United Nations.
To access the FAOSTAT Data Base for
information by country, item, element and year, click here:
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to Web Site of the Codex Alimentarius Commission, which includes information on the Codex
Alimentarius and the Joint FAO/WHO Food Standards Programme.
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Click here to access the sixteen
international agricultural research centers that are members of the CGIAR.
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Responsibility for
protecting the atmosphere in Lithuania is ensured by the Ministries of:
Environment; Health Care; Transportation; Agriculture; and Economy.
The Ministry of the Environment is the main
institution shaping the environmental policy of the Republic of Lithuania.
The monitoring of the implementation and enforcement of the environmental
legislation is performed by the State Environmental Protection Inspectorate, 8
regional environmental departments and 54 city and district environmental
agencies.
The Joint Research Center (JRC) of the Ministry
of Environment is responsible for environmental monitoring. The Environmental
Research Center of the JRC and 8 regional laboratories are executing the
functions of monitoring and analytical control.
The State Department for Energy Resources is responsible for energy-related policies. In order to address all energy-related issues, three non-governmental organizations have been created:
Other institutions include:
The Ministry of Health Care and institutions
under its subordination - the State Public Health Center; the Ministry of
Agriculture (the implementation of the measures to reduce pollution with
nitrates); the Ministry of Social Security and Labour (certain issues related to
noise regulation); the State Labour Inspectorate under the Ministry of Social
Security and Labour (issues related to the prevention of industrial accidents);
the Ministry of Transport and Communications (issues related to pollution from
mobile sources and certain issues related to noise regulation); the Civil
Protection Department under the Ministry of National Defence (issues related to
the prevention of accidents and the organization of civil protection); and the
Ministry of Economy (issues related to hazardous waste, certain issues related
to air pollution and noise regulation).
The Ministry of Environment executes the State regulation of the use of
natural resources and environmental protection management. Therefore the main
part of proposals of the Environmental Protection Acts are prepared in the
Ministry. Depending on the character of the legal acts they are approved by
Minister’s order, adopted by the Governmental decision or ratified in the
Parliament. If the competence is general (for few Ministries), the joint orders
of the Ministries are issued. The local structural sectors of the Ministry of
Environmental Protection are regional departments (8) as well as cities and
regional agencies(50) which ensure the requirements of the environmental
protection and implementation of its objectives. The officials in the
specialized institutions have the authorization of the state environmental
protection inspectors. Other institutions such as the Ministry of Economy
(management of hazardous waste), Geological Survey (Use of the Earth entrails)
the problems of the environmental protection solve in the limits of their
competence which is determined by the acts and other legal documents.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
According to the Law on Environmental Protection, local authority
institutions shall:
·
Distribute the
national natural resources according to the limits established for
municipalities;
·
Prepare, approve and
implement programmes and schemes of environmental protection and use of natural
resources of municipalities and other environmental protection measures;
·
Set up the municipal
fund for nature protection and dispose of its funds and approve expenditure for
environmental protection;
·
Within their
competence, analyze and co-ordinate projects of planned activities;
·
Manage green spaces
in urban and rural areas, prepare and approve rules for protecting green spaces;
·
Establish within
their territories norms stricter than national standards, upon co-ordinating
with public authorities which have approved them.
According to the Law on Energy, fuel prices and
energy tariffs of facilities that are within the sphere of regulation of
municipalities may be fixed by municipalities. Prices and tariffs for consumers
that are within the sphere of municipal regulation shall become effective only
upon co-ordination thereof with the State Commission for the Control over Prices
of Energy Resources and Energy Activities and upon the approval thereof by the
Government.
The principal laws in Lithuania related to this area
are as follows:
·
the Environmental Protection Law 1992 amended in 1996, which describes
the powers and duties of the MoE and some others;
·
the Ambient Air Protection Law 1999, which describes many of the systems
for monitoring and controlling air quality and emissions such as the permitting
system and protection plans;
·
Law on Environmental Monitoring 1997, which outlines in more details
monitoring duties,
·
Law on pollution charges 1999, etc.
There are also many MoE Orders setting standards for air quality,
emissions from stationary and mobile sources and for fuel.
There are several economic
instruments used for protection of the environment. These include taxes on
natural resources, pollution charges on the emission of pollutants into the
atmosphere if emissions are more than 10 tones per year, and penalties for
exceeding emission limit values. There are four main pollutants: SO2,
NOx, solid particulates and heavy metals.
The Law on Environmental Monitoring (1997) establishes the organizational structure and procedure of implementation of environmental monitoring requirements
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
In the Republic of Lithuania, an inventory of green-house gases and their absorbents was made in 1995. In 1996, the National Strategy for the Implementation of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change was developed and adopted by the Lithuanian Republic Government. The Strategy contains concrete measures for climate change mitigation and adaptation to it.
The Environmental
protection regulatory statutes are established by several Articles of the
Constitution of the Republic of Lithuania. The main constitutional norms on the
questions of the environmental protection provide basic principles of the
ownership of the environmental matters, protection of environment from
deterioration and State’s responsibility for the nature protection and natural
resources.
The basic principles of the environmental
protection are determined by the Environmental Protection Law which was passed
in 1992. The Environmental Protection Law sets the general guidelines and
principals of the administration of the environmental protection, determines the
rights and duties of the citizens and public organizations, characterizes the
use and accounting of the natural resources, sets regulation of economic
activity and mechanism of the economic environmental protection, shows liability
for violation of the Environmental Protection Law and solving arguments on the
environmental protection questions, and imprints international co-operation in
the area of environmental protection.
The national long term environmental strategy
of the Republic of Lithuania has been prepared and was ratified in 1996. It is
an important document which sets the environmental protection goals, priorities,
environmental protection policy principles.
The Environmental Protection Action Program is
a complex part of the Governmental Program. Jointly with the National Long Term
Development Strategy it is foreseen to establish more comprehensive short and
medium term environmental protection action program. The main objectives of the
action program are administrative, legal, economic and enforcement.
The main principles of regulation of
environmental legislation in Lithuania are sustainable development,
environmental policy integration, polluter-pays-principle, precautionary,
partnership and liability principle, and the principle of the access to
information. The use of the economic instruments in the environmental protection
area is foreseen in the Act of Environmental Protection. The provisions are
specified in the other acts and other legal documents. The taxes for the use of
natural resources, taxes and fees for environmental pollution and other economic
instruments are used in the policy of Lithuanian environmental protection.
Integrated pollution prevention control system
is under creation at this period. The unified system of the issuing of permits
is carried out. There are determined air conditions and water pollutants, use of
the natural resources in the same permit. The permit is issued by the regional
departments of the Ministry of Environment.
According to the Environmental Protection Act
of Republic of Lithuania industrial enterprises are obliged to get permission
from the Ministry of Environmental Protection with certain conditions and are
obliged to comply with them during production. There is written the type of
production, amounts, production technology, pollution emissions into the
environment (air, water) norms, the monitoring procedure foreseen, and
terminology of the necessary environmental protection means to be implemented.
The main principle of the Lithuanian Republic Acts on taxes for natural
resources and taxes for environmental pollution is “Polluter pays”. For
violation of the conditions set in the permits or breaches, the sanctions
foreseen in the mentioned acts are applied that are few times bigger than fees
for polluting substances emission to the environment.
Since 1991, the estimated
air emissions of the main pollutants from stationary and mobile sources in
Lithuania have decreased on average by a factor of 2. However, the situation
differs depending on the pollutant, the sector and the city.
There are three level air quality monitoring system: a global air
monitoring station in Preila is operating under international Environmental
monitoring and evaluation programme (EMEP) and EUROTRAC, three regional
integrated monitoring stations and twenty-three local monitoring stations in
zones of influence of point pollution sources and their complexes (city and
industrial centers) where anthropogenic impact both on the nature and human
health is the most prominent. For the moment there is three automatic monitoring
station in Vilnius, which provides
data on the Internet in order to inform public rapidly.
In Lithuania as of 1996
there were 48 facilities that met the thermal input according to the Large
Combustion Plants Directive, but no large combustion plants were considered
“new”, because they were all constructed before July 1987.
The importance of the energy sector will increase dramatically over time,
because of plans to close the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant, which produces about
80% of the electricity sold in Lithuania, during the first decade of the next
century. Combustion power plants are used in half capacity at present.
One of priority measures for reduction of transport pollution is bus
fleet modernization, primarily through the purchase of new vehicles. Only small
proportion of the new fleet is equipped with modern engines meeting EURO 2 and
EURO 3 standards. Fleet modernization would not only involve the purchase of new
buses but also the replacement of engines in older vehicles with modern ones
which meet the stricter emission standards according EURO Directive.
The air protection goals
are to reduce pollution by:
emissions from transport;
NOx, SO2,
CO2 emissions from local stationary sources;
VOC (volatile organic compounds);
ozone depleting substances;
dust (particulates); and
SO2, NOx, from transboundary sources.
To reduce air pollution
from mobile sources, as the National Environmental Strategy states, it is
necessary to solve the fuel quality issue and gradually shift to vehicles which
meet the EURO standards, introduce optimal transport streams regulation systems,
implement other measures aimed at the reduction of atmospheric pollution. With
respect to the energy sector and industries, it is necessary, following the
European Union standards, to speed up and finalize the development of
legislation for the regulation of emissions, to implement energy saving
measures, to promote the use of cleaner fuels and introduction of advanced
production and pollutant treatment technologies.
Criteria for environmental
measures selection in air sector include:
health effects,
environmental effects,
large agglomerations,
implementation of air quality improvement plans in areas where the
permissible air quality standards are exceeded,
implementation of polluter pays principle.
The New National Energy
Strategy which adopted by Lithuanian Parliament, proposed a number of
environmental measures:
promotion of energy conservation,
increased use of renewable energy resources,
improvement of combustion
processes, and
the use of cleaner fuels.
Closing this plant (which
will occur within the next 10 to 15 years) will increase the demand on thermal
power plants that burn heavy fuel oil.
The
main objectives of the energy sector for the nearest future are as follows:
sustainable structure of primary energy supply, increasing the share of
natural gas;
safe maintenance of Ignalina NPP;
further development of environmental auditing system;
implementation of reasonable measures for the reduction of emissions by
energy generating sources;
preparation and implementation of legal, normative and fiscal measures;
use of indigenous energy resources, secondary and renewable energy
sources;
promotion of the use of cleaner fuels and measures for pollution
reduction.
LRTAP
Convention
Emission ceiling for sulphur (in thousand tons of SO2 per
year)
|
Party |
Emission levels in |
Emission
ceiling for |
Percentage emission |
|
|
|
1980 |
1990 |
2010 |
reduction for 2010 |
|
LITHUANIA* |
311 |
322 |
154 |
-35 % |
Emission ceiling for nitrogen oxides (in thousand tons of NOx
per year)
Party
|
Emission levels in 1990 |
Emission ceiling for 2010 |
Percentage emission reduction for 2010 |
|
LITHUANIA* |
158 |
110 |
-30 % |
Emission ceiling for ammonia (in thousand tons of NH3 per
year)
|
Party |
Emission levels in 1990 |
Emission ceiling for 2010 |
Percentage emission reduction for 2010 |
|
LITHUANIA |
84 |
84 |
0 % |
Emission ceiling for volatile
organic compounds (in thousand tons of NMVOC per year)
|
Party |
Emission levels in 1990 |
Emission ceiling for 2010 |
Percentage emission reduction for 2010 |
|
LITHUANIA |
111 |
92 |
17 % |
NOTE:
Projections assume that the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant is still in
operation
The strategy of
reducing emissions of atmospheric pollutants is closely incorporated into the
environmental protection strategy whereby several Governmental programmes such
as “Transport and Environmental protection”, National Strategy of United
Nations’ Framework Climate Change Convention’s Implementation, National
Programme on Termination of the Use of Ozone Depleting Substances (ODS) are
prepared to solve specific problems.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
In
Lithuania, the public participates in the implementation of environmental
protection policy. The 7th article
of the Law on Environmental Protection foresees public’s right to information
on: environmental status and use of natural resources; impact to the environment
by the planned activities and other types of environmental information,
participation in the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) of the planned
activities. In this country, the public has the right to request: an EIA; for an
action stop harmful economic activity which is harmful to the environment; to
visit natural environmental areas except ones in which the visits are forbidden
or restricted by the determined order. The annual reports are published and
shared widely. There are many
contracts signed with NGOs which receive special editions with specified
environmental information directly from MoE. All major groups specified in Agenda
21, particularly NGOs, local authorities, and scientific and technological
community, are involved very widely in the decision-making process regarding the
protection of the atmosphere as qualified advisors, experts in preparation of
legal acts, municipality programmes for traffic systems, air monitoring, etc.
Programmes and Projects
Transport depends to a large extent on road transport. The development of a programme to strengthen the national railway system is planned.
In recent decades, a very
intensive and highly chemical agriculture has been developed in Lithuania. In
1991 when crisis both in Lithuanian economics and agriculture started,
consumption of chemicals for plant protection, growth stimulators, synthetic
mineral fertilizers was considerably reduced. Yields in agriculture decreased
accordingly.
Consumption of mineral
fertilizers, especially of nitrogen and potassium, in Lithuania was increasing
until 1990. If in 1973, agriculture of Lithuania received (in the form of active
ingredient) 159.8 thousand tons of nitrogen fertilizers, in 1988 it was 267.5
thousand tons and in 1993 this figure dropped to 29.8 thousand tons. The amount
of potassium fertilizers correspondingly was 154.5, 292.2 and 1.0 thousand tons
and that of phosphorous 83.9, 141.5 and 12.9 thousand of tones.
A
similar situation was observed in the application of chemical means for plant
protection in Lithuania. If the amount of pesticides used in 1989 was 8822 tons,
in 1993 the corresponding figure was only 490 tons.
Circumstances
for positive restructuring of agriculture when implementing the strategy for
climate change, are especially favorable today. In the recovery process of
economics of Lithuania, it is possible to avoid the former chemical way of
farming and exercise sustainable or bio-organic agriculture instead.
The demand for energy
resources in Lithuania may and has to be reduced by restructuring agriculture
into alternative forms of farming. Having restructured agriculture, pollution
and contamination of the environment will be reduced both considerably and
directly (when reducing consumption of pesticides and mineral synthetic
fertilizers) and indirectly (due to the reduction of output of chemical
industry).
Apart from the reduction
of the consumption of chemical fertilizers mentioned above, the cutback of
energy resources, and improved environmental protection, transition from the so
called traditional to sustainable or bio-organic agriculture is extremely
facilitated by search of agricultural markets (sale of agricultural products
becomes easier) as well as abatement of social hardships (unemployment rate is
reduced).
First significant transition measures were
implemented. By Resolution 589 of December 24, 1991 of the Lithuanian Government
on “Measures of Improvement of Ecological Situation in Karst Region of North
Lithuania”, a certain territory was chosen in which limited economic activity
was introduced. The intensive zone covers the area of 29.4 thousand ha and the
protective region 164.1 thousand ha. To implement the decisions of the
Government, the pilot project for the protection of groundwater from
contamination and implementation of the development of ecological agriculture in
the intensive Karst Zone, was drafted in 1992 and approved by Resolution No. 719
of September 17, 1993 of the Government of Lithuanian.
The program, implemented in the Karst Region by
"Tatula" Fund, is a pilot project. Together with the recovery process
of economics, reconstruction of agriculture in Lithuania is planned alongside
with the first program implemented in the Karst Region and other similar
programs in preserved areas to the development of sustainable and bio-organic
agriculture in the whole of Lithuania. Possibilities of financing provided, the
environmental program for the Karst Region can last for about a decade (until a
breakthrough takes place in the region).
In order to cope with this issue, we have to:
·
strengthen and develop
international relations, and
·
look for the credits from
international organizations and developed countries.
Implementation of the
pilot project in the Karst Region which can be regarded as a promising model for
agriculture is directly interrelated with the commitments of the United Nations
Framework Convention on Climate Change. In the process of recovery of the
economic potential of Lithuania but without alternative projects for agriculture
approximately 600,000 - 700,000 tons of mineral synthetic fertilizers (in the
form of active ingredient) and about 14,000 tons of pesticides would be used in the average
annually again. This type of
production would cause approximately 1.5 million tons of CO2
emissions.
The Ministry of
Environment is planning to modernize laboratory equipment and ambient air
quality monitoring system in Lithuania. Equipment for the improvement of the
existing 16 air quality measuring station will be bought and installed in the
biggest cities and industrial regions in Lithuania. The equipment are proper to
produce the results that are equivalent to those obtained by the reference
methods common in EC. In addition, staff training to work with the new equipment
is foreseen in the project. It is foreseen that for the strengthening of air
quality monitoring system until year 2001 about 15 million litas will be
allocated (for the methodology development and equipment strengthening).
The overall objective of
the project Environmental Policy Development and Regulatory Capacity Building
Programme in Air Sector is to build upon the existing Lithuanian approximation
process in the area of environmental compliance and enforcement in the air
sector with particular emphasis on strengthening institutional and regulatory
frameworks. Particular emphasis will be placed on the development of an ambient
air quality management system based upon protecting human health and cost
effectiveness and on the foundation of a basis for modern environmental
compliance in accordance with the requirements of EU air sector legislation.
The objectives of the
project are to prepare programmes for the Ministry of Environment of the
Republic of Lithuania in respect of harmonizing the following areas with the
current EU directives’ requirements, standards and norms:
·
national ambient air quality standards, assessment and management
system;
·
national fuel quality standards, volatile organic compounds (VOC)
emission and emission from large combustion plants and the national stationary
sources monitoring system;
·
national fuel quality and mobile sources emissions standards, type
approval and road worthiness testing of motor vehicles and a statistical data
system;
Possibilities to Develop Sustainable and Organic Agriculture in Lithuania
Sustainable and organic agriculture has to be
developed by the year 2050 in:
·
the Karts Region through
the implementation of the environmental program, adopted and approved by the
Government (not less than 5 %, or 20 thousand hectares of the land use by the
end of the period).
·
other regions, supported
by the state as well (less of the land use than in the Karst Region).
In
2005-2015, development of sustainable agriculture (about 20 % of all
agricultural land by the end of the period) and development of bio-organic
agriculture (about 2 % of all farming land by the end of the period) in the
whole territory of Lithuania.
Some HCFC substances are
in use in Lithuania. HCFC‑22 is still used as a temporary refrigerant. But
its consumption does not exceed consumption limits set by the Montreal Protocol.
Besides HCFC‑141b is used in foam production by refrigeration plant
“Snaige”. But the project on its replacement is under way and completion of
the project in the year 2000 will allow us to cease HCFC‑141b use
completely.
According to the National Programme on ODS phase out
in Lithuania CFC is to be ceased by the year 2001 (save for essential uses if
authorized by the Parties and refrigeration servicing). The investment projects
currently being implemented will contribute to this process. The completion of
the CFC Recovery - Recycling Project and introduction of three
recycling facilities in Lithuania will ensure certain amount of CFC available
for the secondary use.
Status
GHG emissions in Lithuania in1990 (Gg)
GHG source and sink
categories |
CO2 emissions |
CO2 removals |
CH4 |
N2O |
NOx |
CO |
NMVOC |
|
|
Total emissions and sinks |
42338 |
11651 |
377.95 |
13.15 |
178.29 |
644.1 |
93.65 |
|
|
1. All
energy |
37332 |
|
31.35 |
0.95 |
17789 |
644.1 |
81.36 |
|
|
A. Fuel combustion |
37332 |
|
5.25 |
0.95 |
177.89 |
644.1 |
72.76 |
|
|
1. Energy
& transformation activities |
16352 |
|
0.73 |
0.36 |
58.63 |
43.8 |
0.74 |
|
|
2. Industry |
5379 |
|
0.44 |
0.14 |
10.90 |
18.4 |
0.44 |
|
|
3. Transport |
5791 |
|
1.42 |
0.19 |
71.69 |
492.3 |
65.03 |
|
|
4. Residential
heating |
6313 |
|
0.73 |
0.16 |
30.16 |
42.1 |
3.84 |
|
|
5. Other
|
2882 |
|
0.43 |
0.09 |
6.02 |
11.0 |
0.43 |
|
|
Biomass for energy purposes |
615 |
|
1.50 |
0.01 |
0.49 |
36.5 |
2.28 |
|
|
B. Fugitive
fuel emission |
|
|
26.1 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
1. Solid
fuels |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2. Oil
and natural gas |
|
|
26.1 |
|
|
|
8.6 |
|
|
2. Industrial
processes |
2203 |
|
0.2 |
1.4 |
0.4 |
|
1.2 |
|
|
3. Solvent
and other product use |
|
|
|
|
|
|
11.1 |
|
|
A. Paint application |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
4. Agriculture |
|
|
180.7 |
10.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
A. Enteric fermentation |
|
|
157.3 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Animal waste |
|
|
23.4 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Agricultural soils |
|
|
|
10.8 |
|
|
|
|
|
5. Land
use change and forestry |
2803 |
11651 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Changes in forest other
biomass stocks |
|
10375 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Forest
and grassland conversion |
2803 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
C. Abandonment of managed lands |
|
1276 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
6.
Waste |
|
|
165.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
A. Landfills |
|
|
162.0 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
B. Wastewater |
|
|
3.7 |
|
|
|
|
|
CO2 emissions in 1990 ( Gg )
|
Sectors |
Emission/removal |
|
1.
Energy |
37332 |
|
2.
Industry |
2203 |
|
5.
Land use change and forestry |
2803 |
|
TOTAL |
42338 |
|
5.
Land use change and forestry |
(
- 11651 ) |
In total territory of the
Republic of Lithuania occupies 6530.1 thousands of hectares (01 1995), including
3328.6 thousands of hectares of land for agricultural use and 1979.6 thousands
of hectares of forests. Farming lands occupy 3513.3 hectares and ploughed of
them are 2958.3 thousands of hectares. In the Republic of Lithuania 3041,5 thousands of hectares
have been land - improved, 2616,4 thousands of hectares of them by drainage.
Since
1956, Lithuania has started taking state forestry inventories every five years.
The last several years inventory is carried out with the help of a computerized
database ‘Forests in Lithuania’. Data are updated every year.
According
to the data collected consumption of Annexes A and B substances in 1997 was
approximately 118 metric tones, in 1998 - 115,9 metric tones (6.5 metric tones
consumed as feedstock are included). Consumption of Annexes A and B substances
in 1998 was slightly less compared to 1997 and decreased by 62 % compared to
level of 1996 (305.8 Metric tones). In 1998 consumption of HCFC’s and
methyl bromide was in compliance with control measures under the Montreal
Protocol and its amendments. In 1999 ODS consumption for group A and B
substances constituted 85.1 tons (and 11 tones of CCl4 for
feedstock). Since 2000, the import of CFC-113, carbon tetrachloride and methyl
chloroform is not allowed to Lithuania. The consumption of Annexes A and B
substances reduced in Lithuania by 86 % in 2000 to compare with 1996 level.
Lithuania is not a country
that currently has a large air pollution problem, a situation that is partly the
result of the reductions in emissions by stationary sources that occurred since
1990. The energy sector is a major source of sulphur and nitrogen-oxide
emissions, but it contributes relatively small proportions of the other
pollutants.
But we ought to have in
mind that the period of transition to market economy will be over, industry will
revive and develop, that foreign investments and establishment of new joint
stock ventures with foreign capital will enhance industrial development, and
increase the demand for energy resources, which in its turn will increase
emissions. Then we shall see the importance of the choice of the base year and
influence of the structure of energy sector. This month, a political decision
was made to close the first reactor of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant in 2005
(Parliament was approved). Projections for future developments of Lithuania's
economy and energy demands have been made based on the World Bank estimations,
projections by PHARE experts as well as National Energy and Economy Strategies.
The most recent estimations are presented in the Action Plan of National Energy
Strategy of Lithuania in view of energy conservation potentials in different
sectors.
When Ignalina Nuclear
Power Plant is closed, total fuel demand will increase by 30 % in comparison to
the situation when Ignalina NPP is in operation. When Ignalina NPP is closed and
energy is generated by cogeneration plants (CHP), emissions of carbon dioxide CO2
to the atmosphere may reach the level of 1990.
The general situation in industry and the existence of Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant enabled to reduce emissions by 50 % as compared to the base year. Therefore present environmental situation of Lithuania and its reports to international conventions and their protocols look quite nice, because emission values of carbon dioxide (CO2), nitrogen oxides (NOx), sulphur oxides (SOx), or non-methane volatile organic compounds (NMVOCs) do not exceed and are much lower that limit or target values, set up in relevant conventions(UNFCCC and UNLRTAP)
Since 1991, the estimated
air emissions of the main pollutants from stationary and mobile sources in
Lithuania have decreased on average by a factor of 2. However, the situation
differs depending on the pollutant, the sector and the city.
Air pollution results from industrial and agricultural activities and from traffic and consists most significantly of dust, nitric oxides, sulphate oxides, carbonic oxides and heavy metals. In industry, only 30% of all enterprises have air pollution purification systems, and some 20% of them are not functional.
The decrease of industrial production during the last years, while economically stressful, has resulted in a dramatic decline of pollutants from industry. CO2 emissions result primarily from energy production; SO2 emissions are mostly caused from energy production and industry. Reductions of these emissions were achieved through a change in the use of wood, coal and diesel in favor of gas. NOx emissions were reduced by 20% from 1983 to 1990. Lead emissions from industry and transport decreased by 23% from 1980 to 1990. Total emissions from transport, especially CO2, have been significantly reduced in the past decade: from 551,600 tons in 1985 to 127,000 tons in 1994. Despite the decrease of emissions, air quality in cities does not always meet health requirements. There are only few monitoring stations in the country and monitoring equipment is partly inappropriate.
Challenges
Lithuania has limited financial resources. Therefore, it is
unrealistic to expect financing and , consequently, successful implementation of
all policies and measures listed in the Strategy. Therefore, Lithuania should
secure available international financial support. The main financial resource to
cope with climate change issues is the Global Environmental Facility (GEF) and
some subsidies from developed countries according to bilateral cooperation
agreements. There is a contact person for GEF at the Ministry of Environment.
Projects for international financial support, approved by the National Committee
for the implementation of the UNFCCC, are submitted to GEF through the
coordinator. The coordinator informs the National Committee about key GEF
policies and documents, project presentation terms, etc. Country team is
responsible for the preparation of projects.
For
the effective execution of the National Implementation Strategy of the UNFCCC,
the role of the Ministry of Environment is very important in coordinating
activities to ensure planning and coordination of the actions of all state and
municipal institutions as well as feedback to specify and update the means
foreseen by the strategy. That calls for resolved joint actions of state,
municipal and research institutions and NGOs., but it is necessary to enhance
the actions of all state and municipal institutions in authority to deal with
environmental protection matters and issues.
Stationary source air
emissions outside the power sector are in general not considered or expected to
be a serious problem. This, of
course, could change rapidly depending on economic conditions.
The transport sector accounted for approximately 70% of the total
emissions into the air in 1998, but the effects of transport pollution are
mainly felt in urban areas. Data
from the two automatic monitoring stations in Vilnius suggest that cars, trucks
and buses account for almost 90% of all air pollutants emitted.
And as is true in most
European cities with more than 50,000 people, periods and pockets of high
concentrations exist. In particular, concentrations of nitrogen oxides and ozone
s sometimes exceeded 24 hour and momentary concentration limits.
Since 1996, Lithuania is producing only unleaded gasoline. From 1998 use
of leaded gasoline is prohibited as well as diesel fuel with sulphur content
higher than 0.05%.
Lithuania still lacks programs on climate change issues for students of both higher, special high and secondary schools. Elementary knowledge on ecology is included into the curriculum of biology, chemistry, physics though not fully integrated and comprehensive
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
There is a general education system which
covers basics of ecological science and other specials environmental protection
questions. The administrative officials of the environmental protection
institutions have to participate in the training on environmental issues each
year. The training of the environmental inspectors is carried out regularly.
When implementing the UNFCCC in the Lithuanian
education system, it is started only to identify target groups, establish
priorities, develop specially adapted curricula for schools as well as
guidelines and manuals. Good measures to promote public awareness of climate
change and protection of the atmosphere are active disseminating of information
by environmental NGOs and rather often articles in this field in mass-media.
The main target
groups may be prioritized as follows:
Research and education institutions:
teachers of ecology and
environmental protection in senior forms of secondary, special high and higher
schools; instructors of upgrading courses for teachers; instructors and teachers
of upgrading courses for employees of governmental institutions and departments;
students studying environmental sciences, forestry, energy, transport,
management of economics, agriculture, biology, water management in higher and
special high schools; pupils of senior forms of secondary schools where teaching
of natural sciences is enhanced.
State and management institutions of all levels (governmental/ county/
local administration): state officials and employees, working in B category
governmental/ county/ local administrative institutions in sectors for
environmental protection, energy, transport, agriculture, forestry, water
management and municipalities, as well as members of respective commissions in
local municipal councils who prepare and make decisions.
Sector of economics: environmental
protection officials, working in all enterprises without respect to their
ownership; bank employees and experts, analyzing and approving business plans
for economic activities that influence the environment; employees of
environmental consulting companies, environmental experts.
The
key priority in Lithuania is to form a public comprehension of climate change
issues, factors encouraging climate change, possible negative impacts on
Lithuania and the world, possible mitigation means and measures.
Information
In order to have a more realistic view on Lithuania’s contribution on the global climate change process, it is necessary to continue and perfect data collection, compare and analyze more intensively the data by various institutions, continue inventory of greenhouse gases applying other methods as well as comparing the received data with the results of other projects (e.g., CORINAIR), to update and correct data in accordance with the local conditions and available equipment and emission factors of combustion products. More accurate data will be needed for evaluation of the situation when Ignalina nuclear power plant is stopped and search of alternative energy resources mainly influencing the quantities of GHG emissions. This is the general task as the emissions have no borders and their accumulation is hazardous globally
The critical loads of
nitrogen and sulphur compounds have been mapped for Lithuanian ecosystem, using
recently available calculation methods. The results of calculation showed that
critical loads of nitrogen compounds lay in the range from 0,7 to 3,0 g/m2
per year with the lowest values in western and south eastern parts of Lithuania.
The range of critical loads of sulphur compounds was found to be from 0.2 to 1.8
g/m2 per year with the lowest values in southern and north eastern
parts of Lithuania.
The
mapping of critical loads and exceedances for nitrogen and sulphur have been
conducted with the aim of defining the most sensitive terrestrial ecosystems and
providing the decision making organizations with a quantitative information as
the basis for assessing the strategies of emission reduction for nitrogen and
sulphur oxides in Lithuania.
As the first step the
assessment of sensitivity of various ecosystem to acid deposition in Lithuania
has been performed. The results are presented in a report ˛Assessment of influence of
acid precipitation on national ecosystem (plants, soil and waters)˛ It has been shown that
most sensitive are forest ecosystems, while surface waters can tolerate
comparatively high loads of acidifying compounds. Therefore as the second step
the maps of critical loads of S and N have been developed for terrestrial
ecosystems. These maps have been compared with the monitoring data on annual
deposition of S and N in Lithuania, and maps of the exceedances of critical
loads have been generated.
Periodic bulletins of environmental monitoring data, information of
mass-media.
http://www.gamta.lt/
The state complex
environmental monitoring is executed in Lithuania. The Joint Research Center of
the Ministry of Environmental Protection and regional departments of
environmental protection are responsible for the implementation of the
monitoring program. The monitoring is performed strictly according to the
program, confirmed methods, and other standard documents. Each year data about
air status are submitted to international data centers on the bases of
international agreements. Therefore quality assurance and quality control is
ensured according to the international requirements.
Lithuania is now preparing
Second National Communication which would enable Lithuania to:
review and finalize an inventory of greenhouse gases following the
guidelines adopted by the Kyoto Conference;
finalize an assessment of potential impacts of climate change in
Lithuania, its vulnerability and adaptation;
prepare an analysis of potential measures to abate the increase in GHG
emissions in Lithuania and to adopt to climate change;
prepare national greenhouse gas mitigation analysis, formulate
mitigation plan and present it to the Government for consideration.
Research and Technologies
The Academy of Science undertook investigations on renewable energy sources and successfully implemented pilot projects for the use of bioreactors. The national industry is producing solar technologies and Moldovan scientists currently specialize in solar cell technology and application. The company Incomes, with the support of Israeli partners, produces solar heating systems for households, municipal buildings and for the agricultural sector. The Mecagro Industrial and Scientific Association is implementing a technological line for the manufacturing of energy-producing wind installations.
In a general sense, ways
should be found to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and to make long-term
grounded forecasts to predict narrow gas spectrum and their low emissions in
future. Action plans require reliable knowledge on the status of the
environment, and accurate, comprehensive and operational information together
with vast amount of data. Research and applied investigations on environment,
energy, economy, biology and other sectors shall be developed and must include
the following:
To more accurately estimate the amounts of GHG gases, additional studies have to be carried out as well. This first of all concerns identification of national emission factors for CO2, CH4, N2O gases, separate technologies or production and perfection of already initiated assessment of pollutants emissions of HFC, CFC, PFC. As it has already been mentioned, the inventory of greenhouse gases has been carried out applying the IPCC methodology of UP-DOWN method, where the accuracy of the initial data is the main factor.
According to the Law on Environmental
Monitoring adopted
by the Parliament of Lithuania in 1997, the system of environmental monitoring
including monitoring of changes and fluctuations in the atmosphere is developed.
All the possessed in Lithuania technological hydro
energy resources are estimated to have average annual capacities 407 MW or 3.6
billion kWh every year. From the total the Nemunas river alone has got
237 MW or 2.1 billion kWh/year, the Neris river has got 110 MW or 1.0
billion kWh/year, small rivers have got 60 MW or 0.5 billion kWh/year. The
resources are economically grounded and make 1.5 billion kWh per year. In 1994,
the hydropower plants in operation such as Kaunas HPP and 14 minor power plants
produced 450 million kWh per year. This figure comprises only 10 % of all the
technical energy resources and ~26 % economically aimed hydro energy resources
in Lithuania.
The river Nemunas complex energy utilization program should be initiated,
because of a very perspective location from Kaunas to Druskininkai from the
point of view of hydro energy production
Technologies of
Renewable Energy
Solar Energy
Annual
solar energy potential in Lithuania is estimated 1000 kWh/m2 . This
potential is equal to the solar radiation in similar latitudes in North Germany
and Denmark. Here are presented the
figures that rest on the supposition that solar energy could be used for
preheating 30 % of domestic hot water (i.e. ~ 30 % from 5000 GWh, that makes
1500 Gwh a year). Then solar energy could substitute 1.5 % of the total primary
energy consumption to be used for domestic hot water preheating.
Solar energy application in active heating systems has been considered as
having no practical implementation in Lithuania. This is proved by the fact that
even now the system is not used as an active solar heating system.
Geothermal
energy
It
is estimated that environmental pollution by SO2, CO2 and
NOx emissions is to be reduced due to the geothermal heat.
Implementation of the pilot project on geothermal heat utilization in Western
Lithuania (~ 10 PJ per year) would considerably reduce annual emissions of
pollutants, i.e. ~ 0.9 million tons of CO2, 5.8 thousand tons of SO2
and 2.0 thousand tons of NOx and annual savings will be 52 million US
dollars.
Wood Fuel
Based
on the "Forestry Development Program" as well as on the "Wood
Fuel and Conversion Study" prepared by the Danish company "CarlBro
Energy A/S" in 1994, an assumption can be drawn that wood fuel reserves to
be consumed in 2000 as well as their preparation for fuel, including
transportation costs, would be less
than 1.4 USD/GJ. It would make:
In the forestry sector
3 500 TJ/year
In the wood-processing industry
4 000 TJ/year
Total 7
500 TJ/year
It
is possible to produce 300 MW for this amount of wood fuel consumed. The
consumption of indigenous fuel (wood, agricultural waste, peat etc. included) is
projected to 200,000 TJ per year. The capacity of boilers burning wood fuel
amounts to approximately 60 MW. The mentioned HOBs burned heavy fuel oil and
partially coal till now. Having in mind the fact that growing woods uptake much
of CO2, the emission of CO2 alone in the atmosphere could
be reduced by ~0.5 million tons
annually if heavy fuel oil is
converted by wood.
Biogas
It
is possible to produce approximately 1 million tons of methanol and/or high
energy methanol (HEM) out of waste and biomass (wood and timber industry waste,
straw). Lithuania can do without
oil import for transport needs if it would utilize peat for the production of
methanol. 1 ton of combusted gasoline in vehicles makes up
~2.8
tons of CH, CO and CO2; and 1 ton of diesel fuel ~3.0
tons accordingly. If 1 ton of
methanol is combusted, 1.4 tons of CO2 is produced in a closed
biological-production cycle according to a proposed technological scheme.
The chosen technology enables to recycle waste into
methanol. There are two ways of methanol consumption: either as fuel for
carburetors or diesel engines, or as raw material for further chemical
recycling. It is extremely important for Lithuania to have an alternative fuel
resource instead of oil products. Such fuel could be a mix of methanol and other
higher alcohol (e.g. high energy methanol or HEM) which is formed during the
catalytic synthesis of methanol. This fuel would be more environmentally
friendly; environmental pollution by exhaust gases and hazardous substances
could be reduced by tens of times and would enable to gain a double ecological
benefit: waste would not be accumulated in landfill sites, environmental
pollution by transport would be reduced.
The
model enterprise could be located on sites where biomass is accumulated and
connected with each other to achieve the desired capacity.
Lithuania
could do with 50 model enterprises with output capacity of each being 1 million
tons of methanol / HEM. This amount could be the equivalent for oil fuels and
could satisfy ~ 60¸80
% of Lithuania’s needs for transport fuels.
According
to action plans 8.52 million tons of environmentally friendly fuel could be
produced by 2010. Thus, we can state that having consumed ecologically friendly
fuel instead of oil fuel, the GHG emission could be reduced in 1999-2010.
Ministry of Environment and the Joint Research Center are responsible
for the alignment of the existing legislation to the acquis
in the area. The Joint Research Center of the Ministry of Environment is
responsible for the organization and methodological control of the State air
pollution monitoring and running the air pollution measurement sites.
Financing
Of the revenue from the
charges and penalties, 70 % goes to the Environment Protection Fund, 20 % to the
Environment Protection Investment Fund and 10 % to the State budget.
During the last six years
approximately 1 billion litas (approx. 250 million Euro) has been invested in
environmental protection. Funds were mainly allocated to construct wastewater
treatment plants and sewerage networks, also for boiler-houses and some other
environmental projects. Resources allocated for environmental investments from
different sources are presented in the next table:
Financial resources for
environmental investment in 1992-98 (million litas)
|
Source of
financing |
1992 – 1998 |
|
State budget |
447 |
|
Environmental
funds |
85 |
|
Foreign loans |
275 |
|
Foreign grants |
138 |
|
Total |
945 |
All public priority
investments are covered by the Public Investment Programme (PIP) which include
projects to be financed from the State Budget, loans and grants taken on behalf
of the State, foreign loans guaranteed by the State and earmarked funds in
Municipal Budgets. The planning horizon is 3 years. The Government has ratified
all PIPs. The first PIP was for 1995-1997, and current is for 1999 - 2001. The
allocations for environmental purposes are also planned in the Public Investment
Programme.
Environmental investments
from the state budget (and state guaranteed foreign loans and grants) are channeled
through municipal budgets. Financing of environmental investments from
municipalities' own resources is unusual, generally occurs with substantial
co-financing from the state budget, and normally makes up only a few percent of
overall investment resources.
The level of investment
from the Municipal Environmental Funds and current expenditures is increasing,
both in nominal and real terms. Allocations to water related expenditures (both
investment and current) are the most significant article of the funds'
expenditures.
Foreign grants and loans
made about half of all investments. The biggest part of loans – about 30
million Euro - came from Danish soft loan facility. The World Bank allocated
about 20 and EBRD about 15 million Euro. Financing in general and investment
financing in particular from foreign sources has been constantly increasing.
Planned demand and supply
of environmental investments for the period 1999 – 2006 is presented in the
table:
Financial flow forecast for environmental
sector 1999-2006 (million Euro)
|
Specification |
Years |
||||||||
|
|
1999 |
2000 |
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Total |
|
Resources for environmental investment |
|||||||||
|
State budget |
|
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
8 |
56 |
|
Municipal budgets |
|
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
1 |
7 |
|
Own resources and loans |
|
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
70 |
|
Environmental funds |
|
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
5 |
35 |
|
Foreign grants* |
|
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
28 |
196 |
|
Total |
|
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
52 |
364 |
|
Needs in the field of environmental assessment3 |
|||||||||
|
Water protection |
|
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
43 |
301 |
|
Air protection |
|
- |
- |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
50 |
|
Waste management |
|
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
10 |
70 |
|
Total |
|
53 |
53 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
63 |
421 |
|
Financing gap for implementation of approximation
programs |
|||||||||
|
|
|
1 |
1 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
11 |
57 |
* Assuming Euro 25 million per year received from ISPA funds for
environmental protection
In many cases, to form
viable financial packages for environmental projects is possible only by
combining grants from state and municipal budgets, environmental funds, and
foreign donors and loans from international or national financing institutions.
It is forecast that the
financing gap for implementation of approximation projects in the fields of
water protection, air protection and waste management for the years 2000-2006
will be approximately Euro 57 million.
Options
for filling the financing gap include:
ź
mobilising additional funds from central and municipal sources,
ź
increasing cost recovery by user charges ,
ź
international financing
institutions.
In case of joint stock
companies which are private or partly private, the main investment sources for
activities aimed at protecting the atmosphere are private. As examples could be:
·
JSC “Achema” (Jonava Fertilizer Plant) allocating 3.2-3.5 million
Litas (800-900 thousand USD) annually for environment protection,
·
JSC “Lifosa” (Kedainiai Chemical-fertilizer Plant) which made a
great progress in decreasing of hazardous emissions after the plant
reconstruction was finished in 1998 (emissions to the atmosphere decreased 14.6
times in 1998 to compare with 1986),
·
JSC “Mazeikiu
Nafta” (Mazeikiai Oil Refinery) which is under reconstruction now. Emission parameters presently meet applicable
Lithuanian regulations. “Mazeikiu Nafta” (MN) has several air emission
pollution reduction projects in its modernization plans that will be initiated
in the near future. MN’s plans, focusing on the environment, include an
incorporation of the latest technology for new process units to reduce
atmospheric emissions and minimize energy consumption. Fuel production will meet
EU specifications for sulfur, benzene, and olefins and aromatics. Additional
environmental projects include sulfur emissions’ reduction from the refinery
with the installation of more recovery capacity; reduction in volatile organic
compounds’ (VOC) emissions from certain gasoline tanks with the installation
of internal floating roofs; and reduction of VOC emissions from tank car and
track loading racks with the installation of vapor recovery systems.
A part of the state funds for the implementation of
the UNFCCC and a part of the environmental funds of the MoE and municipalities
for public education and awareness on climate change issues should be allocated.
NGOs activities, related to public education and awareness on climate change
should be financed by these funds as well.
Cooperation
The approximation program
was approved in 1996 by Lithuania Government.
It sets a list of priority actions necessary to implement White Paper
requirements. Some of the
regulations established in the existing acts and documents of the Republic of
Lithuania are compatible with those of the European Union.
Other operating legal acts, new acts in preparation as well as other
legal documents will be approximated to the requirements of the EU Directives.
For this purpose a special Task Force for the European integration
process is places in the Ministry of Environment.
For support of the process of integration in the environment sector
technical assistance from the European Union and other individual countries are
used.
The Ministry of Environment of the Republic of
Lithuania actively enlarge its activity in multinational agreements/conventions.
Since restoration of independence, Lithuania has established close links
for environmental cooperation with its neighbors as well as with other countries
around the Baltic Sea and elsewhere in Europe. Lithuania has established very
close links and environmental cooperation with the northern Baltic countries.
Technical assistance and financial support from these countries has led to a
gradual improvement in their common environment.
In 1995, the Governments
of Lithuania, Estonia and Latvia signed the Trilateral Agreement on Co-operation
in the field of Environmental Protection. It
stipulates that the coordination and supervision of the relevant
activities are the responsibility of the Baltic Council of Ministries. The
Environmental Policy Committee of the Baltic Council of Ministries discusses and
prepares all environmental issues giving rise to trilateral cooperation. It also
proposes activities to the Baltic Environmental Forum. The Forum is a joint
project between the EU, Sweden, Finland, Germany and the three Baltic States.
In 1992, Nordic and Baltic countries set up an integrated monitoring
system. In Lithuania there is one EMEP transboundary pollution measuring station
for monitoring of air quality (both long-range transboundary air pollution and
precipitation)according to EMEP standards.
Lithuania participates in warning systems developed to comply with the
Helsinki Commission’s Recommendations on the prevention of air pollution.
In June 1992 the Republic
of Lithuania signed the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change
together with the rest of 154 states in Rio de Janeiro. The Seimas (the
Parliament) of the Republic of Lithuania ratified the Convention on 23 February
1995 and it has entered into force for our state since 22 June 1995. Since then,
Lithuania has started an important venture - inventorisation of greenhouse gases
(GHG). To implement the CC:TRAIN programme, developed by the Climate Change
Secretariat and the United Nations Institute of Training and Research (UNITAR),
a country team was established, which had to prepare the National Implementation
Strategy (NIS) of the UNFCCC in Lithuania.
Lithuania participates in the Swedish Programme
for an Environmentally Adapted Energy System (EAES) in the Baltic Region and
Eastern Europe aimed at the improvement of energy efficiency, use of renewable
energy resources, and reduction of emissions, having impact on climate and the
environment. The Programme is formulated in line with the UNFCCC provisions on
activities implemented jointly (AIJ) and carried out in co-operation with the
Swedish National Energy Agency. Lithuania has benefited from this programme,
having 10 projects with total investments worth more than US$ 4 million on favorable
terms. All projects aim to cut CO2 emissions by converting heating
plants to the use of bio-fuels, introducing efficient energy distribution
systems in district heating plants.
The Kyoto Protocol was
signed by the President of the Republic of Lithuanian October 1998. Lithuania
has pledged itself to reduce GHG emissions by 8 percent. Such a commitment
requires the country to undertake quite serious tasks. Assessment of carbon
dioxide CO2 also reveal the fact that
after the closure of Ignalina NPP, which generates over 80 % of total energy
amount at present, the country may face difficulties when fulfilling the
obligations of Kyoto Protocol equivalent emissions. Thus, the situation with GHG may become quite complicated
but, the country is looking for possibilities to improve the situation in
future. Emissions of GHG will decrease if the demands for primary energy
resources are substituted by natural gas which is the most environment-friendly
fuel. It is also expedient to switch from the consumption of orimulsion (which is a polluting fuel of low calorific value
of 27.6 MJ/kg) to natural gas. All
the above mentioned specific factors of Lithuania once again stress the need and
importance of the GHG inventory for the assessment of the situation in future.
The Government of Lithuania and the World Bank have agreed on a World bank loan (US$ 10 million) to increase energy efficiency of the housing sector in Lithuania. The Energy Efficiency Housing Project is aimed at energy saving in domestic sector and is expected to have a positive impact on the environment (CO2 reduction) and the economy. Moreover, a number of projects have been carried out on energy saving and renewable energy with the support from Denmark and World Bank (e.g., Klaipėda Geothermal Demonstration Project and bio-gas demonstration plants in Rokai).
The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development supports a project to reduce
energy losses and to increase energy efficiency in the capital. The EU TACIS programme
supports activities in this sector.
Lithuania has joined the Convention on the
Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution in 1994. In 1995 the task force directed
by the Ministry of Environment has made assessment of the negative impact of
acid precipitation to ecosystems (plants, soil, water) and estimation of
critical load of substances which cause acidification (SO2, NOx) per year to the area
unit. The final goal of this work is to estimate critical loads of sulphur and
ammonium formations to Lithuanian ecosystems and considering the emission
quantities of these pollutants in Lithuania and their quantities coming from neighboring
countries, to prepare the reduction program of the above mentioned pollutants
Lithuania has no co-operation programs in the
area of environmental protection with developing countries. As a country in
transitional economy, Lithuania mainly have relationship with economically
developed countries and countries which have big experience in environmental
protection area, as well as with neighboring countries in transition. For this
purpose few intergovernmental bilateral co-operation agreements and few
agreements between environmental ministries have been signed.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Lithuania to the 5th and 9th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: March 2001.
For national information on the
atmosphere, click here.
Click here for national information from the Web
Site of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.
For the access to the Web Site of the Ozone
Secretariat, click here:
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information available
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information available
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
On the State level the Ministry of the Environment is responsible for biodiversity. It shares the responsibility with the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry. The National Environmental Strategy of Lithuania was prepared in 1996, with inclusion of the conservation of biota resources and landscape protection. Preparation of the National Action Plan for Biological Diversity Conservation was the next step.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information available
Programmes and Projects
No information available
Status
The most valuable ecosystems and nature areas in Lithuanian nature are protected in five national parks, thirty regional parks, four strict nature reserves and three hundred managed reserves of different types. There are 728,042 ha of especially protected areas in Lithuania, comprising 11.1% of the total territory. The objectives are both to preserve and, where possible, to restore the unique diversity of ecosystems, biotopes, organisms and their populations. The current Lithuanian Red Book describes 501 rare or vanishing animals, plants and fungi species.
The Red Data Book of Communities (prepared for publication) will include 59 association communities out of 120 existing in Lithuania.
Challenges
No information available
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information available
Information
No information available
Research and Technologies
No information available
Financing
The main sources of funding for the implementation of the Action Plan for Biological Diversity Conservation are the State budget, budgets of municipalities, state and municipality's nature funds, foreign funds, and private money. Financial resources to cover all the objectives of the National Biodiversity Research Programme have been strictly limited. During 1994 and 1995, 200.000 Lt (US$50.000) were allocated to the acquisition of nature conservation areas. In Lithuania there is as yet no fund for compensation for landowners.
The National Environmental Protection Strategy was financed by PHARE and was approved by Parliament in 1996. The Biodiversity Strategy was financed by the World Bank. The Landscape and Biodiversity Protection Programme is financed by PHARE.
Cooperation
The Convention on Biological Diversity was ratified in 1995. In conformity with Article 6 of the Convention, Lithuania established a National Action Plan for Biological Diversity Conservation, which was revised in 1996 to include proposals on coastal and marine biodiversity.
Lithuania acceded to the Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitats (Ramsar Convention), in 1993. The Lithuanian Ramsar Sites were established by national legislation through Executive Order No 408 of 25 May 1994.
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has not been ratified.
Lithuania intends to ratify the Convention on the Protection of the Marine Environment of the Baltic Sea Area (Helsinki Convention), which entered into force in 1980. The Lithuanian legislation on land use, landscape protection and activities in terrestrial - local marine areas is compatible with the obligations set out in the Convention.
The Convention on the Conservation of European Wildlife and Natural Habitats (Bern Convention) was ratified by the Lithuanian Parliament in 1996. Lithuanian legislation is still being reviewed for its compatibility with this Convention. The Red List of protected species was published in 1991 and will be revised in 2000.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Lithuania to the 5th Session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: April 1997.
For national information on
Vegetation: State, composition of species, productivity & prevalence, click here.
For national information on animal
wildlife, click here.
Click here for the International
Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology Biosafety WebPages
Click here to link to the Biosafety
Information Network and Advisory Service (BINAS), a service of the United Nations
Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), which monitors global developments in
regulatory issues in biotechnology.
Click here to go to the Web Site of UNEP's
International Register on Biosafety.
For access to the Web Site of the Convention on
Biological Diversity, click here:
For access to the Web Site of
the CITES Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the CMS
Convention, click here:
For the Web Site of the Convention on the
Protection of the World's Cultural and Natural Heritage, click here:
For the country-by-country, Man in the Biosphere
On-Line Query System, click here:
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
No information is available.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information is available.
Programmes and Projects
No information is available.
StatusThe International Convention to Combat Desertification in Countries Experiencing Drought and/or Desertification Particularly in Africa has not been signed or ratified. There are no deserts or areas in danger of becoming deserts in Lithuania.
Challenges
No information is available.
Capacity-building, Education, Training and Awareness-raising
No information is available.
Information
No information is available.
Research and Technologies
No information is available.
Financing
No information is available.
Cooperation
No information is available.
* * *
This information was provided by the Government of Lithuania to the fifth session of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. Last update: 1 April 1997.
For access to the Web Site of the Convention to Combat Desertification and Drought, click here:
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Decision-Making: Coordinating Bodies
Responsibility
for elements of energy is with the Ministries of: Economy; Environment;
Transport; and Agriculture.
The Ministry of Economy is responsible for
overall energy policies and programmes. There is one section of the Ministry
responsible for energy. Within that section, there are two departments
(Department for Energy Development and Department of Energy Resources) and one
division (Nuclear Division). The Department for Energy Development has the
Energy Strategy Division which is responsible for energy efficiency. The
Lithuanian Energy Agency (LEA), created in 1993, is responsible to the Ministry
of Economy, co-ordinated through the Energy Strategy Division.
There are two units within the LEA directly handling energy efficiency and other international relations including monitoring multilateral and bilateral projects. First is the Energy Conservation Programme Directorate is responsible for preparing the National Programme for Energy Efficiency and Conservation. The Directorate also manages the Energy Conservation Fund, promotes the use of indigenous and renewable energy resources and is responsible for environmental aspects related to energy
The Ministry of Finance is also directly involved to energy related issues because of budgetary considerations. Co-ordination is through the LEA but there is also a separate Energy Conservation Commission, headed by the Minister of Economy. The Commission, approved in 1997, supervises and co-ordinates the implementation of the National Energy Efficiency Programme. There are 10 members of other relevant ministries and organizations
The
Ministry of Environment concentrates on environmental policy and the design of
management instruments (emission standards, permitting system, environmental
impact assessment, economic instruments). For implementation and enforcement of
these instruments are responsible the regional and local levels. The Ministry
maintains administrations in eight environmental regions. Each environmental
region has its own Environmental Protection Department, consisting of 5 to 10
agencies staffed with inspectors. All in all, there are 56 such agencies.
The
regional departments’ main responsibilities concern the permitting system,
environmental impact assessment, laboratory control and enforcement of
environmental regulations. To carry out those functions, regional departments
have centrally-based core staff and district Environmental Protection Agencies.
Inspectors have access to plants and installations, the operators have to keep
inspectors informed. Inspectors can order laboratories to monitor pollution, and
they can impose penalties if regulations or permit conditions are violated.
An
important institution in the implementation of the requirements of environmental
protection is the Joint Center of Analysis. This institution, together with 8
regional laboratories, is responsible for state laboratory control and
monitoring.
Decision-Making: Legislation and Regulations
In 1999, the Seimas approved the Law on the Air
Protection. Article 3 of the Law gives a high priority to energy efficiency.
Also, Article 14 is important because environmental pollution permits can be
granted to companies who reduce pollutants through improved energy efficiency.
The Law on Energy, adopted on 28 March 1995,
defines the general provisions of energy activities, the basic principles of
energy development, functioning and management. In fact, the Law provides the
legal basis for the entire energy programme. Law on heat, electricity and
natural gas was presented to the Seimas.
The main document which outlines energy
efficiency policy is the National Energy Efficiency Programme which was approved
by Government (Decision No. 940) in 1996. It replaced the Plan adopted in 1992.
The 1996 Programme covered the period 1996-2000 and had the following tasks:
·
Prepare drafts of legal documents necessary for implementing the
Programme;
·
Refurbish existing buildings, update energy utilities, insulate and
build houses effectively;
·
Utilize indigenous, secondary and renewable energy sources;
·
Reorganize the construction materials industry in order to ensure the
manufacturing of energy efficient construction materials;
·
Design, produce and install water, steam, gas, power and heat metering
and regulating devices and systems;
·
Provide information and promotional activities related to energy saving
and the utilization of energy resources, local fuels and renewable.
For each of these categories, the government has specific sub-tasks with
bodies responsible and milestones. A detailed work plan is prepared annually.
The annual plan takes budgetary conditions into account.
The Law on Air Protection gives a high priority to energy efficiency. As
an example could be Article 14 according to them, environmental pollution
permits can be granted to companies who reduce pollutants through improved
energy efficiency.
Lithuania has made a
big progress in its overall approach to energy efficiency, providing a good
policy base for the future. There is a good acceptance and integration of energy
efficiency within the overall energy strategy. In some Lithuanian legal acts
there are more strict requirements than those in the EURO legislation. The most
important Lithuanian legal acts which concern energy
and energy related aspects of atmosphere and transportation are as follows:
Nuclear energy legal acts:
·
Law
on nuclear energy
Download as Word
document (104 KB);
·
Law
on management of radioactive waste
Download as Word
document (64 KB);
·
Law
on radiation protection
Download as Word
document (55 KB);
Energy sector legal
acts:
·
Law on Natural Gas (Law is
adopted, translation is on-going);
Download as Word
document (58 KB);
·
Electricity Law (Law is
adopted, translation is on-going)
Download as Word
document (133 KB);
·
Law on Heat (under
preparation);
·
Law
on Energy
Download as Word
document (47 KB);
Environment
legal acts:
Law on the
Protection of Ambient Air (1999);
Environmental
Protection Law (1992);
Law on Biofuels
(2000);
Law on the
Environmental Pollution Tax (1999);
MoE
order on General requirements for waste incineration (1999);
MoE
order on Emission Limit Values from Stationary Combustion Sources (1998).
Energy prices are being set on a cost-based principle. While not
necessarily distorted from a cost point of view, they are nevertheless affecting
the fuel mix that may have negative long-term implications. This is particularly
so with respect to heat and natural gas. The heat sector has the legacy of a
large, often inefficient infrastructure. On the other hand, district heating can
be fuel flexible because it can switch from oil to natural gas to renewable.
From an energy security point of view, this has many advantages.
The National Control Commission for Prices and Energy was created by
President’s Decree on February 10, 1997. The Commission, which is independent
and reporting to the President, was given the responsibility to set regulated
energy prices for electricity, natural gas and district heating.
The Commission has the following tasks:
·
Analysis of the main economic issues of the energy sector, including
investments;
·
Establishing price principles for electricity, district heating, hot and
cold water supply and natural gas, passenger transportation by road
transport over regular long distance routes, and passenger transport by train
and water transport inside the country;
·
Approval of price and tariff calculation methodologies;
·
Negotiation with suppliers of their prices and tariffs, using the
approved methodologies;
·
Supervising the application of prices for the services described above;
·
Approval of heat energy consumption norms;
·
Approval of fuel consumption norms for production of heat and
electricity; and
· Within its legal authority, investigation of complaints made by customers, of disputes arising between suppliers and consumers, and defending the interests of customers.
According to Article 15 of the Energy Law, tariffs are designed to cover
costs and investments. Energy companies set their own prices following
methodologies set by the Commission. The prices are then submitted to the
Commission for approval. Following the Commission's analysis (for example, the
Commission will determine what company costs are eligible), an open meeting is
held to allow all interested parties to voice their concerns. If there is no
agreement, the Commission unilaterally sets the price.
Eligible costs include tangible costs,
depreciation and interest. Limited environmental costs are allowed. The
methodology is regularly assessed and, for example, it was changed for
electricity in 1999. The 1999 change allowed the Commission to make a better
allocation of electricity costs to the appropriate customer groups. The
Commission believes that this avoids "social tariffs" which subsidize
some customers.
There are no subsidies or cross-subsidies remaining. There is a problem
concerning the price differential between natural gas and heat, not because of
subsidies, but because natural gas is about 40 % cheaper, leading consumers to
want to switch. To counterbalance
this problem, the Commission has proposed that municipalities should establish
heat plans within their jurisdictions to set certain districts for heat and
others for natural gas.
The 33rd Article of the Law on
Environmental Protection foresees that juridical and physical bodies whose
health, property or interests were harmed and the officials of the Ministry of
Environment, other officials when harm was made to the interests of the State
can submit claims for the compensation of illegally made harm to environment.
Organizations and separate bodies (physical as well as juridical) may object the
decisions in the administrative law violation cases by the environmental
protection officials, other decisions and resolutions to the Court.
Non-governmental organizations have the right to participate in discussion of
environmental protection questions. Participation of non-governmental
organizations in environmental protection is confirmed by the Law on Territorial
Planning adopted in 1995, and Law on Environmental Impact Assessment which is
adopted in 1996.
Decision-Making: Strategies, Policies and Plans
The Energy Inspectorate, created in 1995, is
subordinated to the Ministry of Economy. Its goal is to ensure reliable and safe
use of energy equipment. It issues permits for installations, undertakes audits,
inspects repairs, examines energy managers (which are required for each
company). In fact, the Inspectorate ensures that safety norms are enforced.
There
are several economic instruments used to protect the environment. These include
taxes on natural resources, charges on the emission of pollutants into the
atmosphere if emissions are more than 10 tones per year, and penalties for
exceeding emission limit values.
The 1996 National Environmental Strategy is the
main policy document related to the environment. The strategy gives high
priority to energy. Many elements of environmental policy relate to energy
efficiency. The National Energy Strategy also promotes both energy efficiency
and environmental protection.
Energy policy has evolved in Lithuania
throughout the 1990s. The first National Energy Strategy, which covered the
planning period up to 2015, was approved in 1994. The Strategy focused on:
·
diversifying sources of primary energy;
·
increasing energy efficiency;
·
undertaking energy conservation measures; and
·
removing consumer price subsidies.
In
1999, the new National Energy Strategy was approved by the Seimas (Parliament of
the Republic of Lithuania). The Strategy revised the energy development trends
that were established in 1994. The 1999 Strategy has the following objectives:
·
reliable and safe energy supply with least costs;
·
energy efficiency enhancement;
·
improvement of the energy sector management and implementation of market
economy principles in the energy sector;
·
reduction of the negative impact upon environment;
·
assurance of nuclear safety requirements;
·
integration of the Lithuanian energy sector into the energy systems of
the European Union; and
·
regional co-operation and collaboration.
The
Strategy, which covers the period to the year 2020, has different elements on
energy supply, improvement in energy efficiency, environmental protection,
training of specialists and scientific research, and market liberalization and
competition. The Strategy provides the targets and directions for modernizing
the energy sector, meeting both national needs and international obligations.
The Strategy also includes a demand forecast. In the scenario that the
government considers the most likely, household energy demand will decrease by
7.5 % by 2020, the trade and services sector (together with construction and
agriculture) will increase by 20-30 %, and both industry and transport will grow
by 80 %. The scenario expects
natural gas consumption to double, the share of solid fuels and oil products for
heating to decrease and the consumption of motor fuel and electricity demand to
increase 1.7 times. In the fast growth scenario, electricity could increase 2.4
times.
The
enforcement process is largely based on a system of permits and self-monitoring,
with environmental inspectors periodically checking emission levels to verify
the accuracy of operators’ reports. All pollution is ‘taxed’, even if it is within the
permissible limits. Failure to report (or fraudulently reporting) environmental
information and releasing pollutants
Energy efficiency is an important priority in the transport sector and
many of the measures combine energy efficiency improvements and pollution
reduction. There are import taxes
to limit old, inefficient cars from entering the country. There are different
taxes depending on whether the car is 5 or 10 years old. There are regular
inspections of vehicles for emissions. Lithuania is gradually adopting EURO standards for emissions.
The State Road Transport Inspectorate and driving schools promote
training and information on energy-efficient driving, fuel consumption and city
driving. Leaded gasoline has been
banned.
One of the main instruments that has been approved but not implemented yet is the Energy Conservation Fund, which would be partly funded by the PHARE programme, and which is authorized under the Energy Law. This fund was approved but never implemented because PHARE would not fund it without a funding commitment from the State. This commitment was given in late 1999 (for 400,000 Litas – 100,000 USD) but the fund had not started as of April 2000. The Fund will be managed by a Board of two representatives of the Ministry of Finance and two representatives from the Ministry of Economy.
Decision-Making: Major Groups Involvement
No information available
Programmes and Projects
The National Energy Efficiency Programme is currently being revised and
presented to the government at the end of 2000.
Status
The principal sources of pollutant emissions in Lithuania, as in many other countries, are transport, industry and energy sectors. There are no major subsidies either in the transport or in the energy sectors to improve environmental issues.
Indigenous energy resources provided only 9.3 % of Lithuania's energy
needs in 1998. These included crude oil (2.9%); peat, firewood and straw (6.0%)
and hydropower (0.4%). Of the energy imports, Russia contributes 99 % in the
form of natural gas, oil and coal.
The two major inputs into primary energy supply are oil products and
nuclear energy. Oil products represented 38.3 % of TPES in 1998 and nuclear 36.0
%. This was followed by natural gas at 17.9 %.
Nuclear energy comes from two units of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant.
In 1998, total generating capacity was 5980 MW in Lithuania, with Ignalina
accounting for 2760 MW. Peak demand was 2077 MW. Lithuania is also a large
exporter of electricity.
Renewable are starting to show promise. Currently 6.4 per cent of
primary energy demand is derived from renewable, mainly in the form of biomass
and hydro. There have been many efforts to increase renewable, particularly in
rural areas and in the forestry industries, where there is good potential. There
has been international support to convert boilers to use wood (with a total
capacity of 140 MW). There are also 15 straw-fired boilers with a total capacity
of 10 MW and several other new hydro and biogas plants.
Lithuania has a high energy intensity. In 1998 it was estimated to be
0.91. This is significantly higher than the EURO average.
IMPORT – EXPORT COSTS OF FUEL, 1998, Lt/t
|
Kinds of Fuel |
Import |
Export |
|
Crude Oil |
322 |
357 |
|
Gasoline (95) |
648 |
604 |
|
Diesel Oil |
572 |
522 |
|
Light Fuel Oil |
506 |
- |
|
Heavy Fuel Oil
(M-100) |
235 |
238 |
|
Liquefied Gas |
567 |
454 |
|
Orimulsion |
216 |
- |
|
Natural Gas (t/km3) |
296/435 |
- |
|
Hard Coal |
159 |
184 |
|
Lignite |
95 |
- |
|
Oil Bitumen |
548 |
|
Due to increase of electricity export and of amount
of oil refined in 1998 primary energy consumption in Lithuania increased from
9.1 to 9.8 Mtoe or by 7% if compared with 1997. In this consumption oil products
constituted 38.3%, nuclear energy - 36.0%, natural gas - 17.9%, coal and coke -
1.4%, local solid fuel (peat and firewood) - 6.0%, hydro power - 0.4%. The
biggest part of the primary energy was consumed for electricity generation
(42.4%), while for heat production - 18.2%, for fuel processing - 5.4%, for
final fuel needs - 26.9% was consumed. Non-energy fuel demand and various losses
constituted 7.2%.
Final energy (fuel, heat and electricity) annual
demand decreased from 4.51 to 4.46 Mtoe or by 1.3%. The biggest part of final
energy in 1998 was consumed by household users (33%), in transport (29%) and by
industry (2.2%).
PRIMARY ENERGY BALANCES, ktoe
|
Index |
1996 |
1997 |
1998 |
|
Energy Sources |
9864 |
9102 |
9802 |
|
Indigenous Energy
Production |
4371 |
3908 |
4434 |
|
Crude Oil |
155 |
212 |
278 |
|
Solid Fuels |
555 |
537 |
588 |
|
Nuclear Energy |
3633 |
3134 |
3522 |
|
Hydro Energy |
28 |
25 |
36 |
|
Import Fuels |
5493 |
5194 |
5368 |
|
Oil and Oil
Products |
3122 |
3029 |
3472 |
|
Natural Gas |
2168 |
2002 |
1754 |
|
Coal and Coke |
203 |
163 |
142 |
|
Energy Consumption |
9864 |
9166 |
9802 |
|
Fossil Fuels |
|
|
|
|
Heavy Fuel Oil |
1503 |
1250 |
1591 |
|
Gasoline |
698 |
695 |
666 |
|
Diesel Oil |
537 |
650 |
707 |
|
Jet Kerosene |
34 |
32 |
28 |
|
Light Fuel Oil |
82 |
33 |
12 |
|
Liquefied Gas |
82 |
103 |
113 |
|
Other Oil Products |
342 |
478 |
619 |
|
Total Oil
Products: |
3277 |
3241 |
3750 |
|
Natural Gas |
2168 |
2002 |
1754 |
|
Coal |
203 |
163 |
142 |
|
Peat |
19 |
19 |
17 |
|
Firewood and other
Solid Fuels |
536 |
518 |
571 |
|
Total Fossil
Fuels: |
6203 |
5943 |
6234 |
|
Nuclear Energy |
3633 |
3134 |
3532 |
|
Hydro Energy |
28 |
25 |
36 |