On 30 April 2021, the digital joint meeting of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee and the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee of the Baltic Assembly was held.
During the meeting, parliamentarians discussed challenges and opportunities towards climate neutral Baltic states by 2050. Chair of the Natural Resources and Environment Committee Ligita Girskienė opened the joint meeting by highlighting the importance of the green transition in the Baltic states: “By 2050, Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia aim to achieve climate neutrality. Cooperation of the Baltic states could facilitate and speed up this transition.” Expert from the Tallinn University of Technology Alla Shogenova introduced the parliamentarians to the role of carbon capture, utilization and storage in the climate-neutral future of the Baltic states. Governmental representatives continued by introducing the parliamentarians to the current progress in the Baltic states regarding the aim to reach climate neutrality by 2050 and expressed motivation to reach climate neutrality and readiness to cooperate.
Another topic discussed was energy security in the Baltic states and the interconnected, stable and sustainable energy systems. “Energy security in the Baltic states is an important issue because it is vital to ensure energy independence and the development of strong economies," said Chair of the Economics, Energy and Innovation Committee Kęstutis Masiulis. Lastly, regional solution in regard to the regional transmission tariff for electricity trade with third countries was discussed. Experts highlighted the importance of the large infrastructure projects in the Baltic states such as the synchronization project, regional gas market and ELWIND offshore wind farm project between Latvia and Estonia. Governmental experts also informed that the Baltic states are making a joint effort to come up with a solution to improve the existing electricity trade regime with third countries.
During the meeting, parliamentarians, experts, high-level governmental experts shared the experience in the environment and economics sectors and tried to find possible cooperation areas for the Baltic countries. The meeting will help in formulation of the recommendations of the Baltic Assembly to the governments of the Baltic states in 2021 as well as evaluate the implementation of recommendations in 2020.