Estonian minister: Energy crisis also affecting environmental policy

Published date17 May 2022
Publication titleLETA

Estonian Minister of the Environment Erki Savisaar gave a presentation to the parliament on Monday on the implementation of the Estonia 2035 long-term development strategy, saying that the global energy crisis has a strong impact on the environmental policy.

Savisaar highlighted that the strategy establishes a goal to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 85 percent by 2035 compared with 1990 and that by 2050, Estonia aims to become carbon neutral. These goals are much more ambitious that those agreed in the general principles for the climate policy in 2017.

"Thus, I welcome the bill by the environmental committee of the Riigikogu, which will bring the document on the general principles of the climate policy into accordance with the Estonia 2035 strategy," Savisaar said.

With regard to a diverse energy portfolio, Savisaar said that the center of gravity of the green transition has thus far been in the energy sector.

"However, everyone needs to make an effort in the name of this goal. The future, wellbeing and security of us all depend on the energy sector being sustainable. When speaking about energy, we must not forget about food production and food security, either, in addition to electricity and fuels," Savisaar said.

The minister said that Estonia needs to ensure its energy security and the independence of its energy from external impact, and that in this regard, a balanced and diverse energy portfolio has a central role.

"Hydrogen, wind and solar energy, biogas and biomethane, waste fuels and nuclear energy -- by combining these in a smart way, Estonia will have the necessary energy portfolio that is as safe as possible for people and the environment," he said.

Savisaar added that Estonia will keep producing energy from oil shale until it has found alternatives that offer energy security and security of supply as well as sustainable solutions for maintaining the frequency on the power grid.

He added that one can only afford to live a good life to the extent permitted by nature.

"The work we have done in the field of environmental protection to protect Estonia's nature and biodiversity carries the same idea. Finding a balance between conserving biodiversity and using the environment is not easy, but society is increasingly realizing that the loss of biodiversity has devastating effects on nature, human health and the economy. The preservation of biodiversity is not merely and environmental issue," he went on.

The minister also mentioned the significant role of EU...

To continue reading

Request your trial

VLEX uses login cookies to provide you with a better browsing experience. If you click on 'Accept' or continue browsing this site we consider that you accept our cookie policy. ACCEPT