Business news

18 Oct 2022

Belarus set to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030

An archive photo

MINSK, 18 October (BelTA) - Belarus plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, consultant of the Department of Atmospheric Impact Regulation, Climate Change and Expertise of the Belarusian Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection Natalia Klimenko said at a press conference to discuss climate policy of Belarus, protection of atmospheric air and the ozone layer on 18 October, BelTA has learned.

“Belarus is a party to the Paris Agreement, as well as the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change. Our country fulfills all its obligations under these agreements. I would like to point out that last year a new national plan determining the level of greenhouse gas emissions was adopted within the framework of the Paris Agreement. At the moment, there are plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 35% by 2030, compared to the level of emissions in 1990, given the projected economic growth. Fulfillment of these obligations will be carried out during the implementation of state programs and strategies for the sustainable development of the country,” the expert said.

She also recalled that last year an agreement was signed by the EAEU heads of state. In it the parties made commitments to cooperate and make joint decisions to implement the provisions of the Paris Agreement. A corresponding roadmap was developed. The first package of the action plan to ensure the implementation of the climate agenda within the EAEU has already been approved.

Speaking about the protection of atmospheric air Natalia Klimenko said that the task of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection is to create conditions to preserve its quality and to regulate emissions. “The total emission of pollutants into the atmospheric air in 2021 amounted to 1,193,000 tonnes in physical terms. This is 10% less than in 2010 and 5% less than in 2015. The construction of gas purification equipment, the transition to carbon-neutral, environmentally friendly fuels and raw materials, the development of electric transport and many other things make it possible to achieve such progress,” she said.

The Ministry of Natural Resources and Environmental Protection is currently working on a law on atmospheric air protection, and a new version of this document has already been worked out. The law will help improve environmental protection activities and ensure an even greater reduction of emissions into the atmospheric air. The ministry is also working on the norms and regulations on environmental safety in terms of protection of atmospheric air. According to the specialist, Belarus has studied international experience while preparing these documents.

“Among other things, Belarus has carried out big work to refuse from ozone-depleting substances and withdraw their production. When the Montreal Protocol was adopted, the consumption of ozone-depleting substances amounted to about 3,000 tonnes. Currently we do not import such substances and meet the requirements for refueling and maintenance of the remaining equipment by recycled, recovered ozone-depleting substances,” the specialist said.