Belarus sets greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 2030

Belarus is set to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 28% by 2030 as against 1990, First Deputy Minister of Natural Resources and Environment of Belarus Iya Malkina told journalists on 24 November, BelTA has learned.

“The Republic of Belarus has plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 28% by 2030 as against the level of 1990 excluding GHG emissions and sinks from land use, land-use change and forestry,” Iya Malkina said.

She added that Belarus accounts for less than 0.01% of global GHG emissions. The country honors its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. Belarus’ GDP energy intensity has dropped three times from 1990. Besides, its average annual GDP growth reached 6.6% in 1995-2012, while the average annual increase in GHG emissions over the same period was at 0.4%. The carbon intensity of the Belarusian economy dropped 3.9 times. “Belarus is rapidly moving towards low-carbon development. The level of carbon intensity in the country is one of the lowest in Europe, some 0.3 tonnes in CO2 equivalent per one MWh of generated electricity. Belarus is almost on par with such countries as Japan and the United States,” Iya Malkina stressed.

Experts predict that global climate change will affect all continents. The recent UN report joins these estimates. It states that cities account for 70% of global energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Urban population is expected to considerably increase in many countries, including Belarus.

Belarus’ position on the matters will be presented at the climate change conference that will take place in Paris from 30 November to 11 December 2015. Its participants are expected to sign a new and universal climate change agreement.