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On Thursday, 2 February, the Saeima ratified the Paris Agreement of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, aimed at strengthening the global movement to counter climate change. 

The Agreement defines several commitments, including a long-term goal of keeping the increase in global average temperature below 2°C in comparison to pre-industrial levels, as well as making efforts to limit this increase to 1.5°C, since this would significantly reduce the risks and impact of climate change. The goals also include increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse effects of climate change and foster climate resilience and making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-resilient development.

As part of countering the effects of climate change, the Agreement obliges all signatory states to regularly report and provide updates on their contribution, i.e., instead of defining specific commitments, the Agreement allows each signatory country to define their own tasks. The member states of the European Union have unanimously committed to achieve a 40% reduction in greenhouse emissions by 2003 compared to 1990. 

Latvia is already complying with the targets set out in the Paris Agreement, therefore the ratification is not expected to have significant public impact.

In Latvia, fulfilment of the commitments under the Agreement will be coordinated by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development.

Saeima Press Service